Opinions on fishing a community lake

[LVLDVL]

Note: NOT a gated community, a typical non-gated suburban community that anyone can drive/walk through without needing to prove residency

If I am on a paved walking trail that is open to the public and there is adjacent shore line, but the shoreline is not part of a park or a home, would you say I am able to fish? If I tell you that this is lake that was dug up for property development and is not a natural lake, would that change your answer? There are no signs along the walking path that indicates "no fishing" or "trespass" or anything like that. Do you think it is possible that even though a public walking trail cuts through, that the shoreline is still an extension of the residents behind the trail? But this wouldn't make sense because along much of the lake, are the homes where their backyard literally is the shore, there is a private dock, and you cannot get to these areas without parking along the street culverts and actually trespassing onto their land to get to the shore.

I've never fished lakes like this community lake so I have no idea if the residents jogging by are thinking "wait...he's not suppose to be doing that" but are just looking the other way because I'm really not bothering anyone. I really do wish to go back because the bass are numerous and the average size I'm catching is excellent for a ~50 acre pit lake and oddly enough, there is very little pressure other than a few neighborhood kids I saw. But after three trips there, I am having that "somebody's watching me" uneasy feeling. Of course, this feeling gets broken up quite often when I'm catching a bass and the people jogging by are amazed that the lake they live nearby and walk on everyday has fish that big.

What are your experiences and opinions on fishing community lakes? I have attached an actual aerial photo the shoreline that I'm talking about.

[BuzzHudson19c]

Well I guess the two options are ask the owner or property management for permission to fish there, or just fish it until in becomes a problem.

 

Honestly though, judging by that picture, I would just fish it.

[Damn Yankee]

Fish it.You can apologize later.Good luck.

[Scarborough817]

go fish it if there are no signs posted then i dont think it should be an issue 

[CoBass]

I do most of my fishing in community ponds like that one. If they don't have a fence around them or no trespassing/no fishing signs, I consider them fair game. 

[XpressJeff]

Let me fill you in on a small piece of wisdom well known to most

anyone who has spent any time in the military,

" It is much easier to ask forgiveness than permission"

 

If you are not going against any posted requirements go for it!

[Jaderose]

Fish it.

 

[Jartbek]

I have fished private ponds when I was young and the land owner came out and asked about what I was doing. I usually apologize, say that I catch and release, and will follow any special rules the owner has like where to park and how long am I able to fish etc... just enjoy it until the fuzz come. (Happened to me once.) 

[Bluebasser86]

If it's not a known public body of water, best to be asking permission. The whole "There's nobody and nothing here saying I'm not supposed to", is a weak excuse and a sign of a poor moral compass. How many with that mindset have no trespassing signs posted in their front and back yards? It's not marked so it's okay for someone to walk through it right? 

 

It's just a fish, it's not worth getting a ticket and/or getting arrested or your gear confiscated. Folks who decide to just fish until someone tells them not to are a big part of the reason why it's so hard to get permission to fish anymore. Property owners get tired of running people off, so when someone tries to do it right they have those bad memories and impressions of fishermen that makes it dang near impossible. I've lost permission to fish places because of others sneaking in and the owners getting fed up with dealing with it, so they just shut it off to everyone.

[TOXIC]

Call your local DNR to see if they manage it.  Swing by a house with a dock and ask if there are any rules/restrictions or if permission is necessary.  Go to the local courthouse and look to see how the pond is described in land/title records.  Even though it seems you are respecting the water, you need to also respect the landowners.  Good luck!!  

[scaleface]

Fish it while you can . more people will start showing up and trash the place  , then it will be a problem . Thats what happened to our sub-division lake .

[BCline]

Forgiveness is much easier to get than permission.  Fish like you own the place.

 

Good Luck!

[Bluebasser86]

From the rules and FAQ's

We are absolutely against any form of illegal fishing
and will not allow any such threads or posts advocating such activity. 

 

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