What Would You Do?

[JG233]

There's a pond on private property that my Uncle fished for over thirty years. He took me there a lot. It's a small secluded place, but special to me. And there are huge fish in there! My Uncle had a stroke a few years ago. Prior to that, he'd told me that he met some new owners and they gave him the ok to keep fishing the pond. He never brought people there, my brother and I, and a few others. Honestly, my Dad asked me about it a while back, and I decided not to tell him where it was--plus I thought it was kind of funny not to tell him. 

Anyway, I'm going to be in town visiting family soon and I'd love to go check out the pond and make a few casts. I haven't been in a decade. Do you think this is ok? If anyone approached me or said anything I'd of course be very respectful and explain who I was. I'd love to hear what others think about this. I know people have strong feelings about this kind of thing. 

 

Thanks!

[J Francho]

You might want to visit the owners, tell them your story, and reconfirm that it's okay to fish their property.

[JG233]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You might want to visit the owners, tell them your story, and reconfirm that it's okay to fish their property.

 

I would absolutely do this, but there are a few different houses around, none right on the pond, and I have no clue which house owns it. 

[Buckeye Ron]

Put yourself in the pond owners shoes. What would you think of someone fishing your private pond that hasn't asked first? 

[J Francho]

Sounds like you gotta do some research, ask around about who owns it, before you can even think about fishing it.

[gim]

I would do what Francho suggested.  Seek permission again.  Its possible it may even have new landowners since you were there last and if you do not have permission from them, you are trespassing.

[Hog Basser]

Agree with all of the above.  If you ask in advance you can secure permission for years to come.  If you just show up and start casting, you will likely be asked to never come back.  You might try searching a county records website to find out who the owner is, you will likely have to input a few of the addresses nearby to find the right one, but the description should include the land with the pond on it.  Don't know if they have that where you are, but I use it in Arkansas all the time. 

[Raul]

It's not ok without permission, go, meet the owner, tell him about when your uncle took you there and then politely ask for permission. In my experience normally the owner says yes since you already fished the place before.

[JG233]

Thanks for the feedback.

[flechero]

A decade is too long to assume anything... good chance the ownership has changed.  And if not, they likely won't remember you. 

 

Research it online first (county tax appraisal districts are mostly online these days) and either call them or swing by to ask permission again.  I would NOT just start fishing... around here it would likely end in a confrontation with a gun involved.

[Oregon Native]

!!...Ask permission and take your Dad.

[Catt]

This is a clear case where asking permission is better than asking forgiveness!

[Hawkeye21]

Do some research online to find out which house owns the pond.  You can check assessor websites or realtor websites like Zillow as well.

[hunterPRO1]

19 hours ago, J Francho said:

You might want to visit the owners, tell them your story, and reconfirm that it's okay to fish their property.

 

[bma3]

On 4/19/2017 at 1:28 PM, JG233 said:

 

I would absolutely do this, but there are a few different houses around, none right on the pond, and I have no clue which house owns it. 

 

I would just ask the closest house if it's ok and if they aren't the ones who own it, ask them who does.