POND NAZIS!!!

[jiml]

I've been reading a few posts on the shanty recently that end up posting stories about lake front home owners and other anglers giving the hard water and soft water guys a hard time while they are enjoying the sport by saying they are on private property or taking "someone Else's spot".  Thought it would be beneficial to start a topic about this and see what guys out there have to say.  Not just to post and complain but to provide some personal experiences and solutions on how they handle this legally and try to give others some insight into this potentially trip ruining situation.  So lets hear it.

[dylan8351]

Respect land owners and fellow fisherman! That's all it takes. If its private with no access don't fish it without permission. If you want to walk across private property ask first. Most people wont care as long you don't trash it. If someone has a shanty set up, leave space regardless if they're there or not. We're all in this together and when one body of water gets closed there's more competition for space on another. If you are given a hard time from a landowner, know the regulations and inquire boundaries. Knowledge is power. If another fisherman is giving you a hard time about being in their spot tell them to get their earlier next time!

[FishingNewEngland]

There's a very wealthy family that live on the Norton. Last summer, while fishing one of my favorite spots right behind their house, the wife comes out and starts taking my picture. She said I shouldn't be so close to her property. I'm in my boat so I informed her, politely, that the water wasn't hers and I was free to fish where I wanted as long as I didn't go ON her property. She kept taking pictures and said she was going to call the cops. I then asked her if she'd like me to wait for them to arrive. Now, mind you, she's still taking pictures this whole time so I started to pose for her.  

She finally left and I kept fishing expecting the cops to show up. After a half hour and a small bass, I left. I've been back there a couple of times since and have not seen her at all. I think she may have given up.

[PeterSaloom]

I have to say that I feel pretty lucky in regards to this topic. I have found people on their properties waving to me and chatting, but no one has ever yelled at me, whether in my boat or on the ice so far. I would hope that most fishermen don't have to deal with that sort of negative response on a regular basis.

[jiml]

I have to say that I feel pretty lucky in regards to this topic. I have found people on their properties waving to me and chatting, but no one has ever yelled at me, whether in my boat or on the ice so far. I would hope that most fishermen don't have to deal with that sort of negative response on a regular basis.

I wouldn't say that this stuff happens on a regular basis but unfortunately it does happen.  As was posted earlier....knowledge is power....that is kind of the point of this topic.  Better to be prepared for this and have a plan based on others experiences than have something like this get "ugly" and ruin a good day on the ice!

[PeterSaloom]

agreed. 

[airplanejig]

Back 30 years ago  they used to stock  horn pond with trout thru the ice with  nice browns and big brookies   they would all gather in the back cove  by the pumphouse Any way we were tee nagers   There were  4  guys fishing and they each had 10 traps each  and had all the cove locked Up  and they were bailing fish one after another  Now once they caught there limitnthey kept on fishing i didnt see them keep any more trout but they were drunk and were Rough on the trout  lots of them were bleeding when they released     I went over to them and told them HEY first of all you got 10 traps out secondly you already limited out  third  you guys are ripping lips on these trout you are releasing   They laughed all crap faced Wouldnt you know mr green jeans The warden shows up  He  was  watching them with binocs  What  a beating theu got financially   he took all there traps  power auger plus they had  5 trout over the lomit   hidden under a snow bank   Talk about Perfect timing Theres  always going to be a few scumbags wherever you go   

[jiml]

Back 30 years ago  they used to stock  horn pond with trout thru the ice with  nice browns and big brookies   they would all gather in the back cove  by the pumphouse Any way we were tee nagers   There were  4  guys fishing and they each had 10 traps each  and had all the cove locked Up  and they were bailing fish one after another  Now once they caught there limitnthey kept on fishing i didnt see them keep any more trout but they were drunk and were Rough on the trout  lots of them were bleeding when they released     I went over to them and told them HEY first of all you got 10 traps out secondly you already limited out  third  you guys are ripping lips on these trout you are releasing   They laughed all **** faced Wouldnt you know mr green jeans The warden shows up  He  was  watching them with binocs  What  a beating theu got financially   he took all there traps  power auger plus they had  5 trout over the lomit   hidden under a snow bank   Talk about Perfect timing Theres  always going to be a few scumbags wherever you go   

Good to hear the green suits do their job from time to time!  Everyone pays for the license which allows for 5 lines and a limit of keepers.......everyone has to share and keeping over the limit is the same as steeling from other anglers IMO!!!! 

[JustOsmo]

Back 30 years ago  they used to stock  horn pond with trout thru the ice with  nice browns and big brookies   they would all gather in the back cove  by the pumphouse Any way we were tee nagers   There were  4  guys fishing and they each had 10 traps each  and had all the cove locked Up  and they were bailing fish one after another  Now once they caught there limitnthey kept on fishing i didnt see them keep any more trout but they were drunk and were Rough on the trout  lots of them were bleeding when they released     I went over to them and told them HEY first of all you got 10 traps out secondly you already limited out  third  you guys are ripping lips on these trout you are releasing   They laughed all **** faced Wouldnt you know mr green jeans The warden shows up  He  was  watching them with binocs  What  a beating theu got financially   he took all there traps  power auger plus they had  5 trout over the lomit   hidden under a snow bank   Talk about Perfect timing Theres  always going to be a few scumbags wherever you go   

great story!

[fishermantim]

The first time I fished Horn Pond thru the ice I was approached by a warden who was doing a license check of all anglers.
I've had the same thing happen in Wayland as well as Westford.
Although they aren't always there when the dirtbags start up, when they are there they are all business (if you're in the wrong), otherwise they enjoy good hearted conversation with anglers that truly enjoy the sport an follow the rules.

I've always felt that talking with the authorities as well as inquisitive homeowners can never be a bad thing. Most people enjoy hearing a good story.

[Capt.Dana]

A little different story. On opening day for duck hunting, the police show up at our gun club. They said that they got a report of gun fire. They were told it was opening day for duck hunting and some of the guys were out in the duck blinds hunting. The officer said that he didn't see them doing anything wrong and radioed back. Come to find out, some b###h moved into a house next our gun club and calls the police everytime she hears gunshots. Why did she buy the house?

[JBERT]

Back 30 years ago  they used to stock  horn pond with trout thru the ice with  nice browns and big brookies   they would all gather in the back cove  by the pumphouse Any way we were tee nagers   There were  4  guys fishing and they each had 10 traps each  and had all the cove locked Up  and they were bailing fish one after another  Now once they caught there limitnthey kept on fishing i didnt see them keep any more trout but they were drunk and were Rough on the trout  lots of them were bleeding when they released     I went over to them and told them HEY first of all you got 10 traps out secondly you already limited out  third  you guys are ripping lips on these trout you are releasing   They laughed all **** faced Wouldnt you know mr green jeans The warden shows up  He  was  watching them with binocs  What  a beating theu got financially   he took all there traps  power auger plus they had  5 trout over the lomit   hidden under a snow bank   Talk about Perfect timing Theres  always going to be a few scumbags wherever you go   

Ahhhh, the justice!

[fishsluggos]

from the NH board.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=166930.msg1628221#msg1628221

   
Re: Little guy wants to catch some trout (HELP!!!)
« Reply #8 on: Dec 28, 2010, 07:04 PM »    
Quote from: Hardwaterfisherman on Dec 28, 2010, 06:45 PM
WOW....  bit scared to do BIP.... If not for the ice, the ice hearted residents! Such a shame. I'm sure some J-weed screwed it up for everyone else, but thats a real bummer!
Thanks for the heads up!
OK.... Back to the ole' drawing board!

It is because most of the lake is surrounded by properties that restricts access therefore parking becomes an issue. In the summer, if one wants to sign away their fishing rights..rules and regulations....fisherm an can access by boat at the "dam" cove after paying $15 for the key. I live on BIP and am disgusted with shore property owner..they are pompous and snobbish idiots whom think they own the water..call up warden if they see you fishing docks and in non marked swim areas.

Funny story, a Derry resident watched me pull up to his dock and pull out 4 corker largies, he proceeded to throw rocks into water, even got in his kayak and paddled towards me yelling profanities and threatening to call on me.."I'll have your permit taken away..etc" I turned and explained I am a resident and the State owns to the high water mark....then gave him my cell phone to call Derry Pd and F&G. Upon their arrivals, Marine Patrol included, both sides were heard and he was subsequently arrested and charged with harassment of a sportsman.

One for the good guys....

Tight Lines!!!!

[Goldpinhunter]

great stories guys.  personally i've never had any major problems with residents or law enforcement ice fishing. 

had someone out on the cape yell at me once for walking through their backyard during the summer last year but that's about it. 

[rzr800]

I grew up on Webster Lake and my parents owned a large piece of land that was a penninsula. Around the front was a huge stone wall with water on all three sides. Often we would have guys sitting on the wall watching there traps. My father never minded and in fact would often talk to them. Case in point is if you are respectful to the landowners and pick up what you brought out there is no problems. Lived their 21 years and never had an issue.

[RE-PETE]

bass fishing on peirpoint in the summertime, theres that ONE guy that hates when you fish in front of his house, he takes hammers and bangs on the dock and tries to spray you with hoses and everything the guy is a mental case. and hes not one of those guys you can have just a plain conversation with. and unfortunately for him, in front of his house is a prime spot during the spawn so im there everyday. it always makes me feel good to pull op a lunker a stones throw away from him lol.

[fishlessman]

I've been reading a few posts on the shanty recently that end up posting stories about lake front home owners and other anglers giving the hard water and soft water guys a hard time while they are enjoying the sport by saying they are on private property or taking "someone Else's spot".  Thought it would be beneficial to start a topic about this and see what guys out there have to say.  Not just to post and complain but to provide some personal experiences and solutions on how they handle this legally and try to give others some insight into this potentially trip ruining situation.  So lets hear it.

dont know what the story is with the owner of the land and him posting the signs, but be aware that it is sometimes the sportsman that ruins things. i find people in my yard using the lake, walking thru, sitting on the dock in the summer, sitting against the house in the shade watching the rods etc, even found a guy sitting on my dock yelling at me in the house one evening complaining about my dog on my dock. one guy was on my 1 tenth acre homestead shooting ducks. empty shells all over the place as he had been doing it a few days in a row. now if i were married and the wife was at home with guys i dont know walking around the yard, drinking, sitting on the dock or against the house, carrying and shooting a shotgun while leaning against the garage, do you think my land would be posted. one guy asked my neighbor if he could use the dock to take his daughter fishing during the summer, was told to just ask me,i told him he could just leave his boat tied to the dock and come anytime, thats the way it is supposed to work. just think what would happen if i decided it was ok to just show up and walk around your yard and around your stuff any night i wanted sometimes people abuse things then later on the homeowner has to just put a stop to it, the lake is public but the land he pays taxes for, he has the right to atleast talk to you before you use his land, maybe try knocking on doors and just ask and if you see someone in your yard late at night looking in your car, thru your windows, drinking a beer, pay no attention to them, its just me

[Capt.Dana]

from the NH board.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=166930.msg1628221#msg1628221

   
Re: Little guy wants to catch some trout (HELP!!!)
« Reply #8 on: Dec 28, 2010, 07:04 PM »    
Quote from: Hardwaterfisherman on Dec 28, 2010, 06:45 PM
WOW....  bit scared to do BIP.... If not for the ice, the ice hearted residents! Such a shame. I'm sure some J-weed screwed it up for everyone else, but thats a real bummer!
Thanks for the heads up!
OK.... Back to the ole' drawing board!

It is because most of the lake is surrounded by properties that restricts access therefore parking becomes an issue. In the summer, if one wants to sign away their fishing rights..rules and regulations....fisherm an can access by boat at the "dam" cove after paying $15 for the key. I live on BIP and am disgusted with shore property owner..they are pompous and snobbish idiots whom think they own the water..call up warden if they see you fishing docks and in non marked swim areas.

Funny story, a Derry resident watched me pull up to his dock and pull out 4 corker largies, he proceeded to throw rocks into water, even got in his kayak and paddled towards me yelling profanities and threatening to call on me.."I'll have your permit taken away..etc" I turned and explained I am a resident and the State owns to the high water mark....then gave him my cell phone to call Derry Pd and F&G. Upon their arrivals, Marine Patrol included, both sides were heard and he was subsequently arrested and charged with harassment of a sportsman.

One for the good guys....

Tight Lines!!!!

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=166930.msg1628221#msg1628221

[DasRottweiler]

There's a very wealthy family that live on the Norton. Last summer, while fishing one of my favorite spots right behind their house, the wife comes out and starts taking my picture. She said I shouldn't be so close to her property. I'm in my boat so I informed her, politely, that the water wasn't hers and I was free to fish where I wanted as long as I didn't go ON her property. She kept taking pictures and said she was going to call the cops. I then asked her if she'd like me to wait for them to arrive. Now, mind you, she's still taking pictures this whole time so I started to pose for her.  

She finally left and I kept fishing expecting the cops to show up. After a half hour and a small bass, I left. I've been back there a couple of times since and have not seen her at all. I think she may have given up.

Inform the woman that the land she was standing on , taking yer picture, probably isnt her`s , the state owns 10ft ABOVE the high water mark- most of these landowners stonewalls docks etc are NOT even on thier property. State owns it.

[fishlessman]

Inform the woman that the land she was standing on , taking yer picture, probably isnt her`s , the state owns 10ft ABOVE the high water mark- most of these landowners stonewalls docks etc are NOT even on thier property. State owns it.

that would put a third of my house on state property, i dont think thats true everywhere

[adksavage]

Great stories. Truth is like others have already said, Land owners have their reasons. There is one lady that is on a local lake near by that some guys on here talk about and often. She can be the biggest pain there is, but if they actually talked to her she is a pretty decent person. She has had problems before with other "ice fishermen" so now she is always on guard. I have heard so many stories of guys using foul language dealing with her. A buddy of mine knows her well, and introduced me to her. Now I never have any problems. She asks us to leave some fish on the ice for her eagles and she is one happy woman. Sometimes all it takes is a little respect for one another. Just as fishlessman stated... "Sometimes the sportsman that ruins things." Very true my friend very true.
 
 
 

[jiml]

Absolutely correct that sometimes it is the sportsman the ruins it!  You have to respect the property owners on the lake as well but if you are fishing legally and not carrying on like a fool then they should not have a problem with it.  There are those home owners out there that hate looking out their window and seeing you out there!

[DasRottweiler]

that would put a third of my house on state property, i dont think thats true everywhere

NH, shoulda been more specific. Just anuther reason NH is betta!

[fishlessman]

NH, shoulda been more specific. Just anuther reason NH is betta!

yeah, im from nh, but for 1900 dollars in property tax i can live on a lake seems my vote doesnt count for much down here though. im betting the land for 10 feet from the water is still private but that the state has the right to use it if they need too. down here the first several feet is conservation, you own it, pay for it, but cant do much with it without all the legal mumbojumbo paperwork

[djb]

Remember that even though we here in Massachusetts have rights of fishing, fowling and navigation on our great ponds and the added protection of  an anti-harrassment statute, those things are not substitutes for respectful behavior on our part. Respectful behavior will beget the same from most people. There are laws to protect sportmen and deal with the occasional jerk that pops up and needs to be put in their place, no matter who they are.

[sherpakroto]

We own lake front property in Maine. Nothing special, but we like it It is irritating when you are chilling with friends and some loud mouth in a boat is cussing a blue streak, and generally disrespecting our privacy. Most times, they get it, and move on soon enough.

It has caused me to think about where I fish. If I get the feeling that the landowner isn't thrilled with me when I'm fishing in front of his dock, I move. Staying might actually MAKE his day, but it rarely makes mine. I'm out there to have fun. Catching fish is a bonus.

[taxi1]

I was fishing in my boat on East Waushaccum Pond in Sterling with my wife not too far from a pier. A woman came out of her cottage and exclaimed,"Please don't fish for my daddy bass near the pier!" We were actually fishing for sunfish and assured here we had not interest in her "daddy bass."  Is that silly or what?

BTW it sure is clever how the town keeps anglers off that lake. There is a public access but no parking for out of town people. What's with that?

I also fished Spectacle Pond (the one off of route 2) and it has no public access for those that are not Lancaster residents. The pond is planted by the state with trout with angler monies but it's basically private. That wouldn't fly in the state I live in now. No public access no public fish.

I used to get on Spectacle with my military I.D. on a ramp on the Ft. Devens corner. Last time I was there it was closed.

I fished Mirror Lake on Devens a lot when I lived there and on vacations. Awesome little fishing lake with not much pressure. Unfortunately since the feds took it over I'm not allowed to bring my dog and sometimes the gate isn't open when it's supposed to be. Gotta love it when the government runs things.