Fishing Around Commercial Docks

[Flippin]

Eric,

I apprecitate you clearing the air and setting things straight. I would suspect that several may have been up in arms because they did not understand the details of the ruling.

[powerdive]

My apologies to the board. I really was little too blunt. But coming from up north, I'm extremely happy with the fishing conditions here--the weather's better, the recreational traffic is much lighter, the people are more courteous, and the rules are far less restrictive.

Guess it's just a matter of perspective. Again, my apologies.

Mike

[Ealy]

While this ruling may not be the end of the world, it's another case of government imposing another regulation. Ten years from now the next generation will just assume that's how it's always been and accept it. The government cranks up the heat one degree at a time and you put up with it. What's next? No fishing 50' from a boat ramp or courtesy dock due to interference with ramp users.

[techo]

Eric,

My brother! I agree with you and hate the whole slippery slope routine. I am going to respectfully disagree with you a bit on this one. It has been and should be....the land owner owns the land, but the water belongs to all. I know that is over simplification (is that a word), but in general that is it in a nutshell for me. I don't want to impede the marina business they so graciously make their living off of. I also don't want to cause a dangerous situation for any person or marina. I am not a huge dock fisherman anyway. Might account for my small bags. In general I am against legislation or laws for every little thing. Maybe a law saying we all have to wave to each other to keep the lake friendly?

The other minor issue is the way it all came about. I only know what I learned on here, but this rule seems to come from a meeting involving Marinas and the Corps. Were there public hearings? Did we vote on this? How did it come about. Would be real similar to the weekenders getting together with the Corps and deciding the guides could only fish a certain area of the lake. I sure wish we could get together and keep those big boats away from certain areas in the summer. We could keep them down lake from point 9. It sure would make it a great deal safer for the small fishing boats. Might put a marina or two out of business up lake though. The point is.....it seemed to be a backroom deal with little input from fisher folks. Quickly done backroom deals are seldom popular, or beneficial for the majority.

I agree the sky is not falling, but it is a genuine concern.

I sure hope I didn't "let you have it" or belittle your thoughts by calling you chicken little. Just musings from a weekender. Just for info.....it would be three and a half boat lengths for us poor recreational fisher people with small boats.

[focused fishing]

All righty then, love it when I shank one into a hornets’ nest……

Techo,

Love the friendly wave law; just imagine how many LOZ Crappie fishermen would get ticketed for that one.

I don't agree with the way the rule was passed either but “it is what it is” and now we have to live with it. I agree that they should have had some sort of public forum but I can only image the fiasco that it could have become with the misinformation and overstatements I’ve heard in the past week or so. Much like a lot of rules and regs we have to live with this one was passed without the publics input.

Ealy,

Sorry to tell ya, for the most part there are already regulations restricting fishing around boat ramps and courtesy docks, they’re just not enforced. Good or bad the regulations are put in place to protect the general public, one of the main reasons this rule was changed was the number of electrocutions around commercial docks, three on Table Rock last year alone.

Tapout,

Not sure where they are writing tickets and where the 300 yards comes from. The rule for the Little Rock District is 50’ from a commercial dock or any of that dock’s satellite docks.

The amount of hyperbole (triple word score!) that has come out over this rule should have been anticipated by the Corps and addressed prior to the rule coming out. I’ve had calls and e-mails to the show that claim everything behind every no wake buoy on every lake is now off limits, no fishing will be allowed around bridges, even that marina owners are allowed to right tickets. None of which is true, just the usual embellishments of anglers with a good story.

When we talked to the Corps they stated the main reason for the "new" rule was to clear up the grey area around the existing laws. By law you couldn't legally fish around lease concessionaire docks since the mid 80's. The new rule simply allows for signs for clarification and eventually enforcement.

I agree it sucks to loose any fishable water but if the rules had been followed from the 80’s we really haven’t.

Dang it…. Think I duck hooked that one into a bee hive this time….

EP

[focused fishing]

Hey Guys,

As to enforcement the reg is not 100% clear but it appears the rule will be enforced like any other trespass law. The local Sheriff will be called and a report filed. Tickets (if any) would have to be issued by the Corps or that local authority. At this point it appears Phil is right, it will be up to the Marina owner / employee to make a call to the local authority.

It is a Corps regulation, just like any other reg. on a Corps lake (dock placement, ramp usage, etc...).

In the regulation it states that it is a "low enforcement priority". That would lead me to believe that the reg has been passed with little concern about enforcement. In other words it allows marina operators to legally post signs and "run people off" their docks but there will be little or no enforcement. It is much like having an alarm company sign on a home or business and not having an alarm; most people will stay away due to a sign.

Most likely scenario is: an angler will "tempt fate" by fishing around a dock after seeing the signs, the Marina owner / staff will ask them to leave if it escalates then the authorities will be called. Sending in boat numbers is likely not a viable option for ticketing due to lack of evidence.

The reg states a cast within 50' of a dock or satellite dock, so I assume that means if you cast within 50' you are in violation of the reg.

As far as "kids fishing off grandpa's dock" or "momma floating on a raft behind the dock" that is an issue for each individual marina owner to address. If the marina feels he won't loose business by yelling at kids for fishing off the back of their boat then he has the right to tell them not to do it. How smart of business move this would be remains to be seen. Same goes for patronizing these business, the American consumer has the right to buy from whomever they chose, if a marina owner is disagreeable, don't shop there just like any other business.

Off season and night fishing would be no different than any other time; the areas are still off limits to fishing. No one would be there to ask you to leave so fish at your own risk. Remember though, if you are fishing a tournament you are violating a federal law and therefore would be disqualified.

Powerdive hit the nail on the head, use COMMON SENSE and don't interfere with the operation of the business and all will be fine. If you are asked to leave do so quietly and respectfully as you would want someone to treat you if you asked them to leave your business or property. (I know the marina owner doesn't own the lake, the water or bottom beneath their dock but they have paid for the right to do business there and the Corps have given them the right to ask you to leave.)

The regulation has changed some (the addition of satellite docks and the no swimming, boating or recreation clauses) the rules for fishing have remained mostly unchanged since 1986. Marina operators have had this right since '86, expanded to include satellite docks, to ask you to leave if you are fishing within 50' of their docks. Sign should be posted to clarify which docks are included.

The reg has been in place since May 13th of this year and I have yet to hear of anyone being ticketed, run off or harassed by marina operators. If anyone has please post and let us all know.

I know I keep saying this is getting blown out of proportion but it is. Use common sense and courtesy and nothing should change. If there is a question on whether or not you should fish a dock don't fish it. If there is a no fishing sign on a dock respect it. If it's one of your favorite places to fish and it has a sign use the opportunity to learn more about why the fish were there and try to duplicate it somewhere else. Who knows you may find five more favorite spots.

EP

[Phil Lilley]

Thanks Eric.

[Gary Lange]

I guess a lot of anglers fish these area around the Marina's it seems by all the posts. I never do and never have fished as I look for areas away from all the boat traffic and noise to fish. It is such a small percentage of the overall expanse of water you have to fish that it shouldn't be a problem. It seems to me that everyone dislikes the fact that someone it telling them where they can't fish more then anything.

[Ham]

Gary the fish get used to the noise. They live under these docks FULL TIME. The docks always have fish.

I don't fish these areas at "rush hour". Usually there are any other boats gassing up or stopping to shop. I have caught some pretty decent fish and had some follows by true PIGS at some of the commercial docks that they have made illegal.

Knowing the location of a few fish that can become bites on still bluebird days was a nice option to have.

[Gary Lange]

Ham, I wasn't worried about the fish and the noise but me and the noise and the people hanging around the Marina's. I know they are a great place to get some fish but I still never fished them because I don't like the congestion and some of the bigger boats don't wait for you to get out of the way they just go and you better move. I just have never enjoyed fishing around those areas.