i have heard several stories about this so called record holding bass pond near my house i really want to fish it but it is on private property so what should i do

probably what I would do is go up to the owner and ask him for permission...take a contract with you stating that the property owner would not be in any way responsible for any injuries that you may sustain or even death for that matter (sucks to say it, but hey, you never know), and it wouldn't hurt to offer a rent say $100 a month or something. Who know's, you might get shocked and he'll say sure! Never hurts to ask, worse he can do is say no.

Hey, Trout, welcome to the Forum.  I've never used contracts or offered cash to anybody like Evvguy, but I ALWAYS ask permission before going onto private property, & always make sure I clean up after myself when I'm done.  I also offer to share my keepers with the owner if they like.  You should also respect their wishes.  For instance, I've stopped at several spots where they insisted on strictly catch-and-release, & that's what I did.  I've stopped a lot throughout Wisconsin while on my way somewhere else, & was only refused once (maybe I should've ponied up the cash that particular time... it looked very promising).

 

P.S.:  To Evvguy, welcome to the Forum.  Both of you will find a great bunch of guys here, & a LOT of useful information.  Take care, & if either one of you catch some big ones, let us know about it.

Keep the line fresh, the hooks sharp, and have fun fishing. God bless you. -Sonny, Life Member since 2002

Thanks for the welcome jig...towards the contract, well I suppose that it all depends on what state you're in and the laws towards property injuries. I live in Indiana and the law here apparently scares people.

Always get permission and my guide is:  Leave only footprints and take only memories!

Offer the landowner some fish if he wants, but be sure to clean them for him.  You just may be invited back!

Gary

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee176/goinfshn/bassfight.gif Life Member NAFC, West Virginia State Police Retired, United States Army Retired

jig fisher and gonefishen both say what is true about getting permission and ALWAYS I MEAN ALWAYS RESPECK THE LAND OWNERS WISHIESS ABOUT THEIR LAND. and yes there are places you would be best to have a contract with the land owner with their perssion signed on it.. i beleive the state of new york is one of them that you would be better off with a contract, at least if the laws that some rich people were trying to past a few years ago passed that is.
that could be an quistion to ask in the forum about each sates trespassing laws and what is requirred. i bet we can get the answer for almost all the states here.

oh ya trout and evvguy welcome to the bb wher no quistion is a dumb quistion, of coarse you might get a smart*** answer. but the help is here to be had and the fun is only a click away. also remember the only dumb quistion is the one that doesn't get asked and ever answer could be a dumb answer or the right one. so happy fishing.      mr bill

welcome guys!

in Cali some people (no names to protect the guilty) sneak on propertey and then when told to leave, the premises do to liablity of the land owner , the tresspassie falls down and pretends to be hurt and sues the land owner and then gits to fish at the property when ever they want to? LOL , do NOT try it!!!!

If you are in PA go to the fish and game website and you can print a summary of the Recreation use of land and water act (RUA). Which to summarize it states that the owner of private/public property including lakes/ponds that makes the area available for public use is not liable for injury, providing that they are not charging a fee for access.

That might help ease any concerns the landowner might have.

A few years ago I got permission to fish a private pond on the condition that I provided the owner a brief  "notarized" letter releasing him of any liability, I also had to give him all catfish between 10 and 16 inches. No problem for me since i dont keep anything for myself.

 

 

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Kansas has a similar program called F.I.S.H. .   Fishing Impoundments and Stream Habitats. Willing land owners recieve payments from the state to allow people to fish designated streams or ponds on their land. There are strict rules about littering and other damage and the areas are patroled regularly to enforce them. They started first with a hunting program and it worked so well they expanded it. It is considered good manners to inform the landowner whenever possible especially hunters for safety.
Life Member since 1996, Greenlantern, Wichita, Ks

Right on fisherman ! Respect and gratitude. If I am allowed a few keepers from the pond, I also ask if they would like me to replace any stock at a later date ?  Restock with only healthy proper species and I never use minniws or shiners in another persons private waters. A couple of them get off and before you know it the pond is overrun with them. Only worms, livers, cut bait etc. Before any restocking make sure the water can handle the species. If allowed to fish, don't just show up again with buddies to fish. Ask  every time and take time to get to know your new friends. If it were your pond, what would you want ?? 
NAFC Life member since 1994, member NRA/ILA ,FMCA, NAFF,Veteran (73-89) extreme survivalist and Redneck. Toothpaste does not make the smell go away !!!