Fishing Docks On Table Rock

[Old plug]

That stuff of restricting anyone from fishing commercial docks sounds like it would make a interesting court case..

It would seem to me that about everyone of those commercial docks would have dock would have a big pile of brush under them placed there by the owners for either the pleasure of there slip rental patrons are for there resort guest. Something about that just does not seem right.

I confine most of my dock fishing to the corners. It is really tricky in back of docks. There are so many cables back there I just do not want to deal with them. I had thoughts at times about buying a 12 ft stiff cane pole and hanging a length of 20 lb test line on the end if it so that i could jerk the fish around and out of the cables. But I would not enjoy that. I do alright my way and enjoy it.

[Champ188]

The rules are written so that EVERYONE is prohibited from fishing, swimming, etc. around those docks. That includes patrons of the marina (i.e. slip renters), and the rules explicitly say so. However, we all know that isn't frequently enforced.

[Fishin Hodge]

I don't like it, I showed up at the meetings and let the Corp of Engineers know about my concerns, but they are the governement and at the end of the day they do whatever they want.

Some sympathize with the core for this reason or that reason, but from what I understand, the White River Lakes are basically the only lakes in the US with these rules. We are getting the shaft as far as I'm concerned. I wish we could fish wherever we wanted.

[Champ188]

The passage below is taken from the latest Corps of Engineers document concerning recreation activities around commercial docks. The full document can be found at:

http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/Portals/50/docs/recreation/SWLR1130-2-57.pdf

5. Definition: Commercial Zone is defined as a designated area where only commercial activities are authorized. Recreational activities such as fishing, swimming,

and diving are prohibited from public use including marina customers and patrons. No fishing tackle may be cast into this area. Commercial activity is typically the procurement of materials, supplies and services from the marina concessionaire.

The commercial zone will include fuel and store docks, restaurant docks, and boat storage docks.

[Alex Heitman]

Guys I have to say I do fish some so called "commercial" docks every once in a while. I have caught my fair share of some gains there as well.I know the people that have there boats there and they would never turn you in. They welcome you and talk to you about the fishing. With that being said you better be careful if you do fish a commercial dock and never fish them during a tournament. I hate that they are off limits because they are in some really good fishing areas.

[Quillback]

On a cold winters day, you hardly ever see anyone on the Big M dock. I never fish it, but have been sorely tempted.

[Old plug]

I agree with you about this champ. But still wonder whst would happen in a court. They say 50ft from the dock. That is a pretty good piece of water. I see they can use the same rule to establish entrance and exit lanes. As I read it that would mean if someone established a entrance and exit lane lest say 5o ft wide you would not be able to fish with 5o ft of either side. Meaning they would control 150 ft wide space wherever or how far the entry and exit lane goes I noted the state is charged with upholding the rule. What happens if your caught inside the 50 ft boundary.

I am st glad we do not have that here. Even though I can see some reason for it. I think it is unnecessary.

[Champ188]

It's important to keep in mind that commercial docks in this case refer to marinas only. These do not include docks that are associated with condos, hotels, property owners associations, etc. As I understand it --- unless the docks are part of the list of marinas that I borrowed from Mr. Babler earlier in this thread --- fish on, brothers and sisters. I always try courtesy first when dealing with dock owners/renters but I am not going to stop fishing just because they don't want me there. By all means, respect their exclusive property. But that property does not include the waters of Table Rock Lake. That belongs to all of us.

[Champ188]

And I agree with you, Old Plug. Mark this down as a historic date.

Seriously, I remember when this all went down the last time because at the time I was actively fishing the Central Pro-Am circuit and pretty invested in fishing docks. Seems it was thrown together rather haphazardly and just about every question that anyone asked the Corps was answered to the effect of, "Because we said so." The marina owners wanted it, the Corps seemed to want it, too, and therefore it came to pass over the objections of the fishermen.

Would it hold up under a sturdy challenge in court? Probably not, but I'm not sure there's anyone out there willing to put up the kind of money it would cost to fight the government on it.

[Old plug]

I thought other docks were left out of it . Your last sentence it the kind of thing that set my hair on end.Table Rock belongs to us all. That is exactly why i do not like to see any one group through maybe some political maneuvering. Take any type of control of what you pay your taxes for.

That not bad however around here there is a State Law that says there is a no wake zone within 100 ft of a dock. Thats fine but many people run right thorough the buoys. Also you get cruisers coming through cove that are 40 ft long and throw a wake 5 ft high wake that goes for long ways. This wrecks some docks and cost people a bundle every year. But you know what 100 ft is the law there is only one catch to it . In Missouri a boater is NOT responsible for his boats wake. Isn't that beautiful. So even if you could get someone for buoy violation he still would not be responsible for any damage he caused.