Just looking for others thoughts on wading in streams that run behind private property. Here in NY I think the owners own the stream bed as well. Makes it kind of tough to fish if you have to ask permission from maybe several land owners to walk a stretch of stream. And I believe this is the case even if you enter the stream on public property and there are no posted signs....Just curious

Here in Oregon the fisherman has a right to the bank on any navigable water way up to the line of ordinary high water. So on many (but not all) streams the fisherman can be in the stream or on its bank below where permanent vegetation grows even if it goes through private land. It is a little hazy because of it being defined as navigable versus non-navigable, but it is nice to have at least some rights. The details are printed in our fishing regulations booklet, NY may do the same thing.

Posted By rwestbrook4 on 24 Aug 2012 07:42 PM
Here in Oregon the fisherman has a right to the bank on any navigable water way up to the line of ordinary high water.

That goes same here in pa but I dont think that is a navigable water way and they do own the land but not the water. My guess is to take a chance and if they yell at u just say sorry and leave. If u see posted signs stay away. The best thing to do is to ask.