Fishing Around Docks?

[rs00765605]

Ok, ok, I know that I should know the rule about fishing around docks, namely resort docks? I figure I will find out whats what before I go running my mouth off too much.

However, I did smack 'em at Table Rock today. Best day I've had all year, at least 50 fish with 18+ keepers, couldn't get one to break 4 1/2 pounds, but had a blast till the lady came down taking pictures and calling the sheriff on me for fishing "her water".

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I would have casted an a-rig at her

[rs00765605]

We had quite the healthy debate, but when she started taking the pics and telling me that she "owned" the water under her dock, I started taking her picture and she seemed to get even madder, thats when she decided to call the Sheriff. I waited on him for a while, but he never showed....go figure.

[gitnby]

We had quite the healthy debate, but when she started taking the pics and telling me that she "owned" the water under her dock, I started taking her picture and she seemed to get even madder, thats when she decided to call the Sheriff. I waited on him for a while, but he never showed....go figure.

I would have asked her if the water she owns when the Lake is at 914' is the same water she owned when it was down to 908'?

[rs00765605]

This lady was nuts. I argued with her for a few minutes, but it wasn't going anywhere. BTW....there is some great fishing on the south side of the 76 bridge at Cape Fair, just cant go anywhere near the resort dock because the water around it is "privately owned". Sheesh! Give me a break.

Also, there is a decent looking log that has floated up by there, I asked if it was privately owned too, but she wouldn't answer.

[bluebasser86]

Had a guy do pretty much the same thing to me at one of our lakes here in Kansas. The only sign to keep away was at the gas dock. Ok, that one makes sense so people can get in and out if they need gas, don't want to risk damaging the gas line, plus there's public fishing from that dock. However when I went to fish the other docks a guy came out yelling I couldn't fish them?? When I asked him why he said my PLASTIC trolling motor prop was a danger to the braided STEEL dock cables??? I didn't argue with him about it but when I emailed the district ranger office I never got an answer. I don't understand how you can own part of a public piece of water.

[Quillback]

I don't know the rules on Table Rock, but on Beaver you are prohibited from fishing around the big commercial docks. I believe out to 50 feet from the dock. But you can fish around small, private docks. I've seen several private docks that have "No fishing" signs attached to them, but I've never had someone come out and yell at me for fishing around their dock. Just watch out for armed crazy people protecting their docks, it's not worth getting shot.

[johnboy2bfishin]

When i lived over by norfork lake several years ago my cousin was deputy for Baxter co ar. And apparently a boater and dock owner had some words the dock owner pulled a gun on the fisherman and shot across the bow so to speak. The boater called sheriff and dock owner was arrested. Cousin said two days later the dock had mysteriously caught on fire.

As for fishing docks i have gotten different stories from corps and the sheriff won't mess with it unless there is theft or damage

[Feathers and Fins]

Army Corps, needs to start yanking docs off the lakes of people who Harass fishermen in pursuit of their quarry! If the Doc owner wants to break the law then remove the thing causing the problem

[*T*]

Thanks for that post. Pretty much is my feeling about the issue. If you are not doing harm to a private dock, don't believe there is any law that prohibits you from catching fish lurking nearby.

But please remember that any of our actions as a fisherman impacts the perception that others (including dock owners) have towards all of us fishermen. Treat all with respect (as much as possible). Respect their property that we fish near and around. Obviously, if dock owners are fishing from their docks, give them a wide berth.

That dock owner will be very busy once the summer crowds arrive and a different boat is fishing her dock every hour or so.