How To Gain Access To Ponds

[livemusic]

I used to fish a lot of ponds. I know of three nice size ponds that have produced terrific catches of bass lately for a couple of friends of mine. Large numbers of bass, including some hawgs. Just curious if anyone has found strategies for obtaining permission. I was thinking of perusing Google Earth to find ponds and then you would have to figure out who owns it. That might be a chore. You'd need to visit the tax assessor's office and view maps to figure it out. Unless it is obvious that it is on Farmer Brown's land. Then I was thinking maybe I could plead my case -- that I specialize in fishing ponds with the owners' permission, that I would release all fish unless they are injured but if he wants them culled, I'd give him filleted fish! I could probably dream up some other benefits, lol. What do you think? The friends I mentioned caught a lot of fish when we were struggling in the lakes. And... they were fishing from the bank! I'd like to take a jon boat.

[the reel ess]

I think you can use Zillow, find the link for tax history, and not have to ask who owns it. I have over the course of a few years asked several owners. And to my surprise, they've all but one said yes. And oddly, the one who politely refused was my dad's significant other. Once word got about what a fishing nut I am, a couple of others have asked me if I want to fish theirs. And they're educated enough on management to WANT me to take fish to help increase their average size. One of them keeps a basket on his pier and I'll leave half my catch in it and text him. He'll eat them same day. But he complains that I don't try to catch bluegills and shell crackers. I use my kayak to get close to them and fish amongst the weeds and stumps. I love to fish where others don't or at least aren't at that time.

 

Of course, I don't take trophies from my friends. I catch them again! If they didn't want me to take any, I wouldn't. I always take my trash and don't do anything they specifically tell me not to. It's a good thing.

[Matthew2000]

Do as the owner asks. Do not argue with him/her, offer to do a little extra work in exchange for fishing.

[Dogmatic]

I am an avid "pond hunter" with Google Earth and have found some awesome fishing holes. I always just drive up and ask(unless there's a gate, then I leave a note). I've only been shot down once. I now fish 6 private ponds regularly, with another dozen on the "occasional" rotation. (Some just aren't productive, or convenient).

[HoosierHawgs]

I think you can use Zillow, find the link for tax history, and not have to ask who owns it. I have over the course of a few years asked several owners. And to my surprise, they've all but one said yes. And oddly, the one who politely refused was my dad's significant other. Once word got about what a fishing nut I am, a couple of others have asked me if I want to fish theirs. And they're educated enough on management to WANT me to take fish to help increase their average size. One of them keeps a basket on his pier and I'll leave half my catch in it and text him. He'll eat them same day. But he complains that I don't try to catch bluegills and shell crackers. I use my kayak to get close to them and fish amongst the weeds and stumps. I love to fish where others don't or at least aren't at that time.

Of course, I don't take trophies from my friends. I catch them again! If they didn't want me to take any, I wouldn't. I always take my trash and don't do anything they specifically tell me not to. It's a good thing.

Yep, this. Just be a responsible outdoorsman (as we always should be in order to keep our great sports going) and you shouldn't have any problem. The worst they can say is no

[Matthew2000]

Yep, this. Just be a responsible outdoorsman (as we always should be in order to keep our great sports going) and you shouldn't have any problem. The worst they can say is no

Or they could shoot you for trespassing....

[the reel ess]

Or they could shoot you for trespassing....

He means just ask. 

[HoosierHawgs]

He means just ask.

Yeah I figured asking was part of being a responsible outdoorsman. I guess not... Common sense things like that give our sports a bad name.

[livemusic]

I am an avid "pond hunter" with Google Earth and have found some awesome fishing holes. I always just drive up and ask(unless there's a gate, then I leave a note). I've only been shot down once. I now fish 6 private ponds regularly, with another dozen on the "occasional" rotation. (Some just aren't productive, or convenient).

 

Do you find that most ponds have a locked gate? Do most of your ponds have the owner's house next to them?

 

You say you leave a note. Do people actually call you back?

 

How is your fishing, do you usually catch a bunch? I love fishing success, lol.

[Dogmatic]

Do you find that most ponds have a locked gate? Do most of your ponds have the owner's house next to them?

 

You say you leave a note. Do people actually call you back?

 

How is your fishing, do you usually catch a bunch? I love fishing success, lol.

-No, most properties I fish don't have locked gates, but there are a few "estates" that I fish that have gates. Most are farms, and some have livestock gates, and most have their homes relatively close to the ponds. I usually, if it's not too intrusive, stop in and say hello.

-I have never not gotten a response from notes left. I leave my address, phone number, and business card.

-Fishing is usually pretty good. Most have been stocked(and stocked well). One of the Estates I fish the owner very recently spent $15K on "improving" his "pond"(it's really a lake), and he doesn't even fish! Which in many of the properties I fish, is the case. Many owners don't even know if there are fish in their water. If a body of water isn't really good fishing, I don't go back, or it goes on my "occasionally" rotation. If I think I can help a pond out, I ask the owner if it's ok,(they usually say yes), whether it's culling fish, or adding fish. Other problems, I let them know about.

-One thing that is most important, be respectful, clean up, treat it like you would want your property treated, and be discreet.

[greentrout]

Another method is to strike up a conversation with your co-workers and friends. Some of them will know someone in their circle of friends and family who might allow you on the property or go fishing with you. When in the fishing section in a store or at BPS or Cabela's be observant and ready to strike up a conversation about Bass fishing. One of my best contacts was made in a Wal-Mart while purchasing some renegade worms. It goes without saying to be polite and look responsible. It does help.

 

Old school basser...

[livemusic]

-No, most properties I fish don't have locked gates, but there are a few "estates" that I fish that have gates. Most are farms, and some have livestock gates, and most have their homes relatively close to the ponds. I usually, if it's not too intrusive, stop in and say hello.

-I have never not gotten a response from notes left. I leave my address, phone number, and business card.

-Fishing is usually pretty good. Most have been stocked(and stocked well). One of the Estates I fish the owner very recently spent $15K on "improving" his "pond"(it's really a lake), and he doesn't even fish! Which in many of the properties I fish, is the case. Many owners don't even know if there are fish in their water. If a body of water isn't really good fishing, I don't go back, or it goes on my "occasionally" rotation. If I think I can help a pond out, I ask the owner if it's ok,(they usually say yes), whether it's culling fish, or adding fish. Other problems, I let them know about.

-One thing that is most important, be respectful, clean up, treat it like you would want your property treated, and be discreet.

 

Do you take a boat? What type? Just curious.

[Dogmatic]

Do you take a boat? What type? Just curious.

No,most of the time it's "running & gunning", occasionally, on the larger water, a boat, either my canoe, kayak, or pontoon(90%), and only if it's not intrusive.

[jjness]

Look up the lakes you find through Google Earth on your local DNR's site; they may have a Lake Finder function with reports on trapped species, size, invasives, consumption warnings, etc. Your county might even have a property info map where you can see different plots and click each plot to see who owns it. Might help in determining public vs private lands.

[the reel ess]

Use Zillow, the real estate site. Once you find a property, click the link for tax history. It will tell you who owns it. Proceed to the phone book. If not listed, do an online search.

 

To tell you the truth, I've never done this, but I just tried it to find a name. It works. I just know enough people with ponds and enough fishermen to make contacts and ask. Or go along with someone I know. The place I fish the most is a reservoir with several landowners owning a piece. A lady at church approached me and asked if I like to fish it. They have a landing and everything. She let me in once and I saw someone I knew there. Now I usually fish with him or ask to use his key.

[Senko lover]

Be polite!

[hatrix]

Google maps can be huge for finding new places. If you want to invest the time you can find a insane amount of possible places to check out. Once you find a spot street view if you can so you can actually see the water and get a assessment of it. I also use it to look for no fishing signs, private property ect. If I see those it's mostly a bust and no reason to mark it then and move on. Favorite all the potential spots you want to check out and you can load Google maps on your phone and have everything you marked. The account I used for marking places has so many spots marked it's silly. But it really pays off to be able to load it up and see there was spots I marked only 8 minutes away from some place I am at.