To Complain Or Not To Complain? (Private Lakes)

[nepabassfishing]

Was looking for anglers' input regarding the lake I live on.  It's private, but lately a somewhat new (purchased a home here 3 years ago) property owner has been letting a good number of people launch boats from his land.  I've seen as many as 5 new boats fishing here in the last three weeks.  The good news is everyone seems to be practicing catch and release.  The bad news is I've seen cigarette butts being thrown from one particular boat.  Do I just bite my bottom lip and assume it could be worse being that no one seems to be keeping fish or do I say something and possibly open the door for people keeping fish out of spite?  Part of me wants to complain because letting multiple boats on the water each weekend pretty much defeats the purpose of living on a private lake in my opinion.  I failed to mention the guy, who is allowing these anglers to come in and fish, is also the recently appointed lake association president, which would seem to indicate he definitely told his guests to practice catch and release being that we have a policy in effect for that at the lake.  Hopefully, I don't sound like a complete whiner with this post.  I've literarily been contemplating what to do over the past weekend.

[Catch and Grease]

It could be worse, talk to the "lake association president" and see if he can talk sense into the litterbugs.

Some people honestly don't think they are doing anything wrong and will stop if asked.... Or they will just blow it off and continue to litter lol

[Scott F]

At a local private lake, the rule is only residents are allowed to have boats on the lake. Each home is issued one boat sticker, no guest boats allowed. You might consider suggesting a similar rule for your lake.

[Tony L.]

Talk to the lake association president about how you are worried about all of the extra litter that you have seen in the lake recently. Nothing more, nothing less.

If the other boats are practicing catch and release, they aren't really hurting too much. And if it is the association president that is letting them in, you don't have too much leverage to get them out anyway. It is his duty, however, to preserve the integrity of the lake, and he would most likely say something about the trash to the people that are launching from his land- maybe even tell them not to fish anymore...

[Catt]

You have an association therefore there has to be laws & bi-laws, I suggest you read em! 

[nepabassfishing]

Scott, love the idea on boat stickers!  My only question is, are they enforceable?  Catt, I'm not even sure if our laws and bi-laws are even documented…lol.  It's a lake of about 30-40 properties, half of which aren't even lakefront which gives you an idea of how small the lake is.  We do have a catch and release policy which was put in place about four years ago because the place gets hammered every year with ice anglers (most of which don't own property at all…these are "friends of friends" or "my third cousin on my wife's side knows someone who used to live here").  At the end of the day though, I'm not even sure if the catch and release policy is enforceable.  Our president, to his credit really has nipped the ice fishing issue in the bud the last two winters.  He's suggested guys don't come back and they haven't.  So I am 99.9% sure our president's guests do the whole catch and release thing.  Again, this matter could be a lot worse as Tony said.  It's just the point.  I know I probably come across as sounding like a huge jerk by posting this.

[Scott F]

Enforceable? The same way most home owner associations enforce their rules. If everyone knows no outside boats are allowed, the residents should not be inviting guests to bring their boats. If you saw someone on the lake without a sticker, you ask them who they are. If they say they are a guest of Mr Jones, Mr Jones gets a letter from the board. If the outsider is trespassing, you could call the police.

[fishballer06]

If you're going to complain to him, I would go to him with solid evidence of the problems. If you're finding litter, take some pictures and prove it to him. If you know who's littering, take a picture of the boat and show him who is doing it. 

[Master Bait'r]

Was looking for anglers' input regarding the lake I live on.  It's private, but lately a somewhat new (purchased a home here 3 years ago) property owner has been letting a good number of people launch boats from his land.  I've seen as many as 5 new boats fishing here in the last three weeks.  The good news is everyone seems to be practicing catch and release.  The bad news is I've seen cigarette butts being thrown from one particular boat.  Do I just bite my bottom lip and assume it could be worse being that no one seems to be keeping fish or do I say something and possibly open the door for people keeping fish out of spite?  Part of me wants to complain because letting multiple boats on the water each weekend pretty much defeats the purpose of living on a private lake in my opinion.  I failed to mention the guy, who is allowing these anglers to come in and fish, is also the recently appointed lake association president, which would seem to indicate he definitely told his guests to practice catch and release being that we have a policy in effect for that at the lake.  Hopefully, I don't sound like a complete whiner with this post.  I've literarily been contemplating what to do over the past weekend.

 

 

 

I'd go knock on your neighbor's door and let him know your concerns.  A few cigs are easy enough to fix, and as long as they're being good sportsmen I don't see any problem with sharing a little.  Just let the guy know you care and that you're paying very close attention, usually that's enough for people to tighten up their ship so to speak.  Places that are well-looked-after are worth their weight in gold, and especially with him being the president he'll likely want to make sure his guests are respecting the place.  

 

I'd say play the part of the concerned but friendly neighbor that just wants to make sure things don't get out of control.  

 

 

I fish a private pond and I treat it like it's made of paper thin porcelain.  I tread lightly, always be super polite to residents and would never dream of leaving so much as an inch of line in the water if I could help it.  Those who would take advantage and be careless should be educated or removed and I agree that cig smokers don't think enough about where they throw those gross little trash heaps.  Disgusting habit.  

[Catch and Grease]

(most of which don't own property at all…these are "friends of friends" or "my third cousin on my wife's side knows someone who used to live here").

Not gonna lie, that little bit made me laugh haha

[Catt]

Don't just do it...document it!

 

With out anything in writing it's your word against the president as to what is or is not allowed.

 

Do you have any other owners who feel the same as you?

[notevenanibble]

I'd be interested in knowing if the new "lake association president" is making money off the anglers launching on his property.  seems like something that should be shared or used to make improvements to the lake.

[gobig]

What is wrong with people? Why don't you just go talk to your neighbor? Why try to implement and enforce new rules? That takes time and cost money.

[flyfisher]

talk to him and my next question is how did he become lake association president in the first place?

[nepabassfishing]

Scott, great and very valid points.  The lake is incredibly small.  Only a handful of property owners fish it and out of those handful myself and my neighbor fish it religiously.  Most of the people here care very little about the fishing.  They don't care if the lake gets fished out as long as there is no algae or excessive weed growth in the lake.

[Missourifishin]

What is wrong with people? Why don't you just go talk to your neighbor? Why try to implement and enforce new rules? That takes time and cost money.

^^^This!!!

I'm sorry, but I don't see what the big deal is. All this talk of documentation, evidence, laws and bi-laws, etc sounds like a last resort to me. Where I'm from, if you have a little problem with your neighbor, you go and have a friendly talk with them. And that is often an easy and simple solution. Sure, there are a lot of people with out any sense, so it doesn't work 100% of the time. But try the easiest most straightforward solution first, and then start thinking of other courses of action.

[buzzed bait]

first i'd say that if he's a "president" or whatever of an "association" there are likely rules, laws, bi-laws whatever you want to call them.  but rather than trying to play any enforcement games, just talk to the guy and mention your concern over the pollution.  you might also suggest them placing a couple of trash cans in prime locations to at least provide a place to dispose of the trash? 

you might also ask how you could "join the board" or whatever so that you can help to preserve the integrity of the lake.  At least that way you have a "say in the matter" going forward.....

i'd say most importantly in the interest of keeping it friendly, approach it like a discussion rather than an allegation of wrong doing....

[Dwight Hottle]

first i'd say that if he's a "president" or whatever of an "association" there are likely rules, laws, bi-laws whatever you want to call them.  but rather than trying to play any enforcement games, just talk to the guy and mention your concern over the pollution.  you might also suggest them placing a couple of trash cans in prime locations to at least provide a place to dispose of the trash? 

you might also ask how you could "join the board" or whatever so that you can help to preserve the integrity of the lake.  At least that way you have a "say in the matter" going forward.....

i'd say most importantly in the interest of keeping it friendly, approach it like a discussion rather than an allegation of wrong doing....

 

 

That sounds like pretty good advice.

[RipzLipz]

I like buzzed's suggestion about keeping it to a conversation and not accusing anyone of anything as well as trying to get involved as a decision maker for the time being.

"Found some cig butts in the water, thought as prez and a fellow fisherman you'd wanna know. If you would like help nipping this in the bud, let me know. My only interest is preserving the lake and fishing as best as we can."

Two times of bringing it up max before I would consider further discussions.

If that goes well, or beforehand, I'd check and see if there are by-laws documented and ask for a copy - tell him you've misplaced yours if you must. If they don't exist, maybe suggest that they should be documented in case of any disputes in the future - try to win over the fisherman in him.

If civility and reason do not work and his position is an elected one, then run against him the next time it's up for voting and get the rules documented and agreed by the association, board or whatever. Some work? Yeah, but probably worth it if you plan on living there long term and enjoying the lake. Sticker is good idea if members are paying annual dues (which cover cost of printing them each year).

[ClackerBuzz]

cigarette butts? i'm sorry but forget about it and....choose ur battles wisely.

honestly i'd keep it on the back burner and wait for a real issue to arise. and then add the cigarette butts to the bottom of a real complaint list

[SirSnookalot]

I think the issue is non resident boats allowed on the lake, many problems would go away if the boats weren't permitted.  An association should have printed documents or by laws, as a resident you should have a copy.  If the issue is not addressed or you would like to make a change, then bring it up at a board meeting.