Need advice-Someone is stealing our fish

||Downhome|| · #61 04/26/12, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SueMc

We asked our district's fish biologist from Charleston, IL about that. He said it wasn't true and isn't sure how it got started, but that he was asked that question often. We worked with him about our stocking plans after we decided not to get our fish from the IDNR.
He did say that if you obtain funds from the NRCS to build your pond that you are/could be required to let the public fish from the pond. He also said that requirement is rarely enforced.

I dug around a bit looking for our old program, talked to DNR they transferred me to Fishery's, gal there said there was no such program since she has been there (late 80's) directed me to another person got voice mail, called a private fish farm he said in the 15 years he's been in business he hasn't heard of anything and said a lot of our state fish programs have been eliminated due to funding. He did say though that he remembered his granddad getting his ponds stocked by the state. but could not remember details. I vaguely remember the program but can't find anything on it.
it may have been a easement if the state helped to build the pond.
pretty sure it was active 60's thru the 70's...

texican · #62 04/26/12, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvrulz

There is nothing in the fish and game handout that states I have to allow public access if they stock my lake...and they would have to put it in the paperwork if it was a requirement.

It could be the folks that stocked it, coming back for some fish fries... since they know it 'does' have fish!

Blackbear · #63 04/28/12, 08:03 PM

Get a pet 10 ft Alligator.Should solve it sooner or later

manygoatsnmore · #64 04/29/12, 04:24 AM

Won't have any fish that way, either.

VERN in IL · #65 04/29/12, 08:07 PM

This thread is really shows just how far those private property people will go.

You don't need cameras, a shooting range, really?(SERIOUSLY)

What you need to do is confront the individual, and ask them to stop littering. Get officers involved, there are just so many unknowns.

In my opinion, unless you're raising fish for profit, the fish belong to nature.

After all fishing "places" are becoming scarcer all the time. Everyone is getting selfish, the only reason somebody can't fish, should be because they disrespect the land.

We have a well known lake near us, had some big fish in it. The problem was it was so easily accessed(oilfield lease road goes by it) that the local teens would throw beer parties out there, and yes they would leave their cans/bottles.

The ONLY way the owner ended the festivities was to BREECH THE DAM AND DRAIN THE POND.

Joshie · #66 04/30/12, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvrulz

There is nothing in the fish and game handout that states I have to allow public access if they stock my lake...and they would have to put it in the paperwork if it was a requirement.

Seems to me that these people are trespassing but they're not taking OP's fish. KY tax dollars paid for the fish. According to the KY Wildlife site they don't demand that you allow others to fish from your pond but they do recommend that you do.

Joshie · #67 04/30/12, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SueMc

We asked our district's fish biologist from Charleston, IL about that. He said it wasn't true and isn't sure how it got started, but that he was asked that question often. We worked with him about our stocking plans after we decided not to get our fish from the IDNR.
He did say that if you obtain funds from the NRCS to build your pond that you are/could be required to let the public fish from the pond. He also said that requirement is rarely enforced.

State required that when my aunt and uncle were stocking their pond. That was several years ago. They required it of a local physician when he built the pond around his house not too many years ago.

Whether the state requires public access or not, it just doesn't seem fair to use my tax dollars to keep your pond stocked, KWIM?

salmonslayer · #68 04/30/12, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshie

State required that when my aunt and uncle were stocking their pond. That was several years ago. They required it of a local physician when he built the pond around his house not too many years ago.

Whether the state requires public access or not, it just doesn't seem fair to use my tax dollars to keep your pond stocked, KWIM?

The state doesnt stock ponds in Missouri anymore that I know of but in researching the history of our place we found out that in about 1939 or 1940 a federal agency built one of our ponds and stocked it (along with many in the area) with the stated purpose to provide a source of protein to the poor farmers in this area. Apparently this area was hit particularly hard during the depression since it was so isolated and back then there was little wild game to supplement the food supply. I havent seen anything that said they had to let others fish the ponds back then but maybe something similar is the rationale today.

Cliff · #69 04/30/12, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VERN in IL

This thread is really shows just how far those private property people will go.

You don't need cameras, a shooting range, really?(SERIOUSLY)

What you need to do is confront the individual, and ask them to stop littering. Get officers involved, there are just so many unknowns.

In my opinion, unless you're raising fish for profit, the fish belong to nature.

After all fishing "places" are becoming scarcer all the time. Everyone is getting selfish, the only reason somebody can't fish, should be because they disrespect the land.

We have a well known lake near us, had some big fish in it. The problem was it was so easily accessed(oilfield lease road goes by it) that the local teens would throw beer parties out there, and yes they would leave their cans/bottles.

The ONLY way the owner ended the festivities was to BREECH THE DAM AND DRAIN THE POND.

Private property people? What does that mean?

Even if I am not raising fish for profit they are my food and I don't want someone randomly coming and taking them just like I wouldn't want someone walking into my garden and picking anything they want. Is that wrong?

fantasymaker · #70 01/17/13, 04:13 PM

HEY Homebody....what ever happened?

homebody · #71 01/17/13, 05:57 PM

I walked down to the pond just in time to see the back of a man leaving. Waited for a few hours, he came back with a friend. I was hiding behind a huge tree stump, watching them. Let them get settled down , then had a confrontation. They told several lies as to why they were there. Won't go into details, too long. They released the fish caught earlier and left.

Got their names, they live about 500 feet away, Called sheriff dept. and their landlord. Did not press charges this time. Was huge stink, I made sure of that. Haven't seen anyone else or them again.

I don't owe anyone the fish, we buy fish food and feed them and the fish are for OUR use.

In closing, when we move, I absolutely will NOT have a pond/lake on the new property and have this problem again.

fantasymaker · #72 01/18/13, 12:42 AM

WHY? Not to be a smarty pants but if you dont care enough about the fish to want another pond why have you put so much effort into this? I realize they are yours but if they are no big deal why bother to feed them and antagonize the neighbors over them?
Is it the privacy matter?

badlander · #73 01/18/13, 07:44 AM

We have our property posted NO TRESPASSING GAME CAMERA ENFORCED.

I suspected that somebody was fishing our pond while we were at work so I put a game camera close to the pond where I found the grass compressed down and an empty bait package on the bank. Checked it a week later. Chip was gone........hmmmmm.

Next time I'll hide the camera a little better and lock it with a padlock and bicycle chain around the tree.

For me it's a matter of Law. We say NO TRESPASSING, we mean NO TRESPASSING.

Fire-Man · #74 01/18/13, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantasymaker

WHY? Not to be a smarty pants but if you dont care enough about the fish to want another pond why have you put so much effort into this? I realize they are yours but if they are no big deal why bother to feed them and antagonize the neighbors over them?
Is it the privacy matter?

Fantasymaker, are you a Land Owner? What is wrong with someone asking for permission to come on my property to fish? My land is mine, its like my home---how would you like to wake in the morning to find 2 strangers sitting at your dining table eating a box of cerial that you really do not like---but its yours?? Its Your home! In my Opinion, just like you got yours--I do not want someone tresspassing on my land to do Anything---Period. Even to collect dead wood that I have No use for. I have people that ask to fish in my pond and to collect wood to burn and I allow them to in most cases because they ask first. If I catch them on my land---they are tresspassing and will not be allowed back even if they ask---In most Cases!

sidepasser · #75 01/18/13, 08:18 AM

We allow close family members to fish at our pond at my Mom's. We pay to stock the pond and we feed the fish. I don't want just anyone going fishing there because you never know who might be "general public" and my mom lives alone.

I figure if we buy the fingerlings and we stock it, we dredge the pond and we manage the water levels and so forth that we should not have to put up with folks just appearing out of thin air to fish.

So we have a locked gate and the whole place is fenced. We have found that great fences make great neighbors. (we do allow one neighbor to fish, the other neighbor doesn't like to fish as they informed us when we offered to let them use the pond).

but why random people think it is ok to just show up and expect to fish is beyond me..

glad you caught whoever was fishing in your pond without permission.

Fire-Man · #76 01/18/13, 08:59 AM

LOL, If the Goverment did stock my pond, that would Not give a Person the right to Tresspass on my land---If a Person feel that it Does Give Them the Right.......Guess they would also feel that it would also Give them/strangers the right to everyones Pantry to Take what food they want---if the person that owns the pantry is on FOOD STAMPS----LOL. Hey the Goverment stocked the pantry...LOL

fantasymaker · #77 01/18/13, 09:23 AM

Not saying the Op did wrong I am just mistified!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire-Man

Fantasymaker, are you a Land Owner? What is wrong with someone asking for permission to come on my property to fish?............... I have people that ask to fish in my pond and to collect wood to burn and I allow them to in most cases because they ask first. If I catch them on my land---they are tresspassing and will not be allowed back even if they ask---In most Cases!

LOL I think you misunderstand,I think I feel the same as you but the OP seems to care a LOT about this pond , They feed the fish. They very carefully examine the area around it. Yet when they move they WONT have a pond just because of what seems a small incident.As a land owner I am sure that you have had to run a few people off,its part of ownership,perhaps not the best of it ,but a part none the less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by badlander

We have our property posted NO TRESPASSING GAME CAMERA ENFORCED.

I suspected that somebody was fishing our pond while we were at work so I put a game camera close to the pond where I found the grass compressed down and an empty bait package on the bank. Checked it a week later. Chip was gone........hmmmmm.

Next time I'll hide the camera a little better and lock it with a padlock and bicycle chain around the tree.

For me it's a matter of Law. We say NO TRESPASSING, we mean NO TRESPASSING.

Hummmm seems like someone is messing with you. LOL most of the creeps would have taken the whole Camera ,they just took enough o be anonymous, I wonder why?
I Think the chains and locks will get broken into BUT I would hide a second camera really really well pointed at the first and be prepared to find your son,ex or FIL on it!

TRAILRIDER · #78 01/18/13, 09:51 AM

Kind of OT but my neighbors (who have 100 acres next to me) let friends come out and hunt. I found a few beer bottles in my horse pasture right by the fence. We are way off the main road, completely boxed in by three other farms. Just stinks that people have no common sense these days.

VaBeagler · #79 01/18/13, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VERN in IL

This thread is really shows just how far those private property people will go.

You don't need cameras, a shooting range, really?(SERIOUSLY)

What you need to do is confront the individual, and ask them to stop littering. Get officers involved, there are just so many unknowns.

In my opinion, unless you're raising fish for profit, the fish belong to nature.

After all fishing "places" are becoming scarcer all the time. Everyone is getting selfish, the only reason somebody can't fish, should be because they disrespect the land.

We have a well known lake near us, had some big fish in it. The problem was it was so easily accessed(oilfield lease road goes by it) that the local teens would throw beer parties out there, and yes they would leave their cans/bottles.

The ONLY way the owner ended the festivities was to BREECH THE DAM AND DRAIN THE POND.

Really? Fish belong to nature that are on private property. Unfortunately this is the attitude of too many people. You think that you are "entitled" to fish where ever you want? If you want to fish, go to a state maintained lake that YOU pay taxes on. If I'm paying the taxes on the land and the improvements I will run off anyone that I see fit.

badlander · #80 01/18/13, 10:26 AM

Fantasymaker, I'd just about bet my last dollar that the transgressors are Amish.

Why?

Planted 6 rows of Vidalia onion, came home from work, three rows were gone...pony tracks in the yard.

Left new garden hose attached to the faucet, came home from work. Garden hose gone....wagon wheel marks in the driveway.

Half of the gas in the generator missing every time we top it off...

Pitchfork gone.....I think ya get the picture.

What ticks me off is that out pond is well stocked. Record sized bass and green sunfish. We consider it our 'SHTF' food supply so we don't want to see our stock depleted and are careful about the number of fish and the size we harvest for our own consumption.

I'm tempted to put up a big sign this spring that says, "THOU SHALL NOT STEAL...MY FISH! AND IF THOU DOST STEAL MY FISH, THY PICTURE WILL BE POSTED IN THE LOCAL PENNY PRESS!"

I don't care if the transgressor is Amish or Non Amish. A thief is a thief and if somebody is coming on your property without permission and taking what boils down to your livestock (think about it, fish in your pond is like chickens in your yard. Potential food) they are guilty of theft.