Neighborhood Lakes?

[bartdude186]

I found a lake close to my house i didn't know was there on google earth, so i went and checked it out. I must say that this lake looks amazing, only one problem, sign says "residents only" blah blah blah. My question is have any of you had this problem and overcome it? Is there anyway around it, such as trying to meet someone in the neighborhood? I know odds are against me but just wondering if anyone has had any luck.

[buzzed bait]

have never done it, but often thought of finding someone that lived in a house on or close to the lake and just asking if i could fish it?  most of them say residents or permission of resident or something like that....

personally i would NOT be trying to find the management company or HOA or anything like that because that would likely be a certain no.  and i obviously wouldn't go trespassing as that is just a sure fire way to get yourself in trouble with the law.

[BigBassBarry]

my nephew pays an HOA 120.00 a year to be able to fish on a neighborhood lake.  pretty good deal for him.  It is in the neighborhood next to his.

[buzzed bait]

my nephew pays an HOA 120.00 a year to be able to fish on a neighborhood lake.  pretty good deal for him.  It is in the neighborhood next to his.

 

now that's an interesting idea!!  guess it depends on what it's worth to you!

[Knightiac]

Best thing somebody in this thread said is to NOT ask the HOA. If one person has an issue with it they will strike you down. Simply ask the homeowner that lives near said lake, ask multiple if need be. Odds are they will not mind at all and will even be friendly about it. 

[Bluebasser86]

If you can get in good with a home owner that would probably be your best option. Even then they will probably have to be with you at all times if there's an HOA, and you may still get hassled. Whatever you do, DO NOT try to sneak in. Catching a few fish is not worth a trespassing charge. 

[Preytorien]

If you can get in good with a home owner that would probably be your best option. Even then they will probably have to be with you at all times if there's an HOA, and you may still get hassled. Whatever you do, DO NOT try to sneak in. Catching a few fish is not worth a trespassing charge. 

 

Yea....this....

 

I've only had one instance where an HOA guy with way more time on his hands than he needed got after me to leave, and it was a lake I had permission to fish, he just didn't care, stating the HOA bylaws prohibited residents from granting permission to someone. I don't live in an HOA neighborhood and I don't intend to, those guys can do anything they want at-will....they're evil.

 

The best is to find a place that allows it. Otherwise you're just one power-tripped HOA kingpin away from a trespassing charge, and unless the bass is 25+lbs, it ain't worth it!

[tdown1207]

Some of my biggest bass have been caught on a private lake.  It is amazing what a little door knocking and good manners will get you.  I would door knock before paying the HOA though.  Throwing the owner a 12 pack and friendly conversation is a lot cheaper and has always worked for me. 

[Deleted account]

I found a lake close to my house i didn't know was there on google earth, so i went and checked it out. I must say that this lake looks amazing, only one problem, sign says "residents only" blah blah blah. My question is have any of you had this problem and overcome it? Is there anyway around it, such as trying to meet someone in the neighborhood? I know odds are against me but just wondering if anyone has had any luck.

 

Easy piecey. Depending on your preference, find one or more of the following residents;  an elderly couple with a wheat field for a lawn, an unemployed stoner, a guy with an unreliable car, or a lonely divorced cougar.

[gallowaypt]

I fish in a lot of lakes and ponds like this. Some of them I know a resident, and some I don't. While I don't condone anything illegal, I've never had any issues that ended with the police. I have, however, talked to 3 HOA presidents, and as long as I agreed to release all fish and keep the place clean, they had zero problems with me continuing to fish there.

[bartdude186]

Thanks for the tips guys, i think i will try to fish it. I have no problem leaving at a moments notice if asked. The lake only has about 14 houses near it and by the looks of it prob elderly folks. my plan is to drive by in prime fishing times and try to meet someone fishing that may be a resident, i have no problem striking up a good fishing conversation on the spot haha. i will report back when i either fish it or get shot lol.

[retiredbosn]

I used to live in a neighborhood with a nice pond. Its posted because of liability issues, u get hurt or worse, there and the hoa is liable. The insurance companies will sue the hoa, most ppl know this and as a result trespassers are prosecuted, not necessarily because the hoa wants to but it is a cya type of thing. Bottom line is you will get caught, its not worth it. FWIW unless the hoa gives permission you're trespassing, the pond will be common property meaning that a resident cannot give you permission to fish alone.

[Preytorien]

I fish a small pond by my house where a buddy of mine lives - he "gave me permission" when I asked.

 

Last year, I had the first case of someone saying anything to me about it. It was the HOA president. We struck up a conversation and talked about the types of fish and the health of the pond etc. He was pretty knowledgeable despite not being a fisherman himself. His house backed up to the pond and he had seen me before. He asked if I lived there, I said no, but a friend of mine had said I could fish it anytime I wanted. He said while the rules don't allow a resident to make that kind of permission, he had seen me pick up trash before and even scold some kids who were tearing up the landscaping so he said as long as I kept it discreet and came alone he didn't have a problem with it.

 

Doing your part to clean the place up and be polite and considerate to residents can go a long way. Most of the time a quiet and discreet fisherman isn't causing headaches so residents aren't as apt to report anything.

 

Super nice guy, I even sent him a Christmas card this year.

[Ratherbfishing]

Probably the best way of turning off residents to your presence is by carrying a five gallon bucket with you.  Some folks don't care one way or the other however others (myself included) interpret the bucket as a good way to empty out a lake in a hurry.

[Dwight Hottle]

Carry a small plastic trash bag with you. If you see any trash pick it up. People will notice you in a good way.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't fish behind peoples homes, it may be on community HOA property but I do feel it's somewhat of invasion of privacy.  At least in South Florida people don't want outsiders in their communities, I don't much care for it when they come into mine.

[Sam]

To give you a straight answer to your query: "It depends."

 

It depends on:

* Is the pond surrounded by private property or are their open areas that are considered common areas and are open to all?

* If there is a "Residents Only" or "No fishing" sign posted then you will be in violation of the law.

* Both the local law enforcement and your conservation officers can give you a ticket.

* To avoid a ticket for trespassing and illegal fishing can you obtain a leer from a homeowner or the association saying it is OK for you to fish the property?

* Be sure to have  your state freshwater fishing license with you. Although the license may not be needed on private property you are trespassing and the law will want to see it.

 

In your fishing life the pond looks beautiful but in reality you could get into trouble if you get caught fishing it without permission.

[RoLo]

Carry a small plastic trash bag with you. If you see any trash pick it up. People will notice you in a good way.

 

Dwight's advise is spot-on, a little etiquette goes a long way.

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, but better yet,

leave the premises in better condition than when you arrived.

 

There's no reason to be intimidated by approaching a landowner or Homeowners Association.

The worst that can happen is that you are refused, in which case everything remains the same (how bad is that?).

 

Roger

[The Rooster]

How about NOT.

[roadwarrior]

BassResource does NOT condone ANY illegal activity. Trespassing is a criminal offense.

Posts advocating subverting the law have been removed.

 

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

[hatrix]

I would just fish it and see how it goes. There is a few places I fish sometimes that are a HOA I would assume but I don't get hassled about it. I NEVER will fish behind someone's house or in a place where I think they would have to look at me all day. If possible try to maybe strike up a bit of conversation with someone there if they are cutting the grass or something and you should at least wave or something to them. If there is a issue with you being there they will come and say something to you about it and that will be that.

[bigbill]

Most of the places I fish are free. The only place were we have to pay is we're people walk there dogs. I had one loose dog go after my spook. I hollered at the dog and the gal got upset. Then I showed her what the dog was going to eat. It's the last time I paid to fish there.

[RipSomeLips]

I pay plenty in HOA dues every year (just got a letter that they want to raise them because of erosion around the ponds). We have spent part of those HOA dues stocking the ponds in our neighborhood, and I have personally put hundreds of fish in the pond behind my house. With that said I would happily take anybody I know fishing in my neighborhood and would be happy to let their friends catch and release there as well. I go to the neighborhood next to me and fish quite often, but I have 3 friends that live in that neighborhood and they don't mind. I am super particular however that I always try to take great care of their lake, catch and release of course, and I even make certain that when retying a lure I collect the couple of inches of fishing line I clip off after tying my knot and put it in my pocket.

[hawgenvy]

Was fishing a neighborhood lake by a public street near my house in Boca Raton, FL.  The security guard asked me to leave, but he said I could cast out one more time. That one more time got me an enormous 7 lb, 1 oz bass. I was surprised I didn't get arrested for screaming "yes!" and "whoa!" repeatedly, like I'd just won the lottery or something.  Anyway, I was determined to get back in to the lake. A little on-line research with the Palm Beach County Property Department showed me that where I was fishing was open for "recreational use," so I went back again. When the guard approached me, this time I was ready with powerful information. I emailed the link to him which he forwarded to his boss, and he hasn't bothered me since. But neither have I caught anything over three pounds since then. But I know my 7 pounder is even bigger and is in there somewhere. And some nearby "no trespassing" signs keep away my competitors.  But not me!