Smallmouth

[jbooth24]

Than for the Info I jut launches from the darn about oh 2 hours ago me and my buddy for our float trip we already caught some small largemouth and some green sunfish which we are keeping fr dinner. And also about a 3lbs channel catfish on a rebel crawl.

[velma]

Where do you camp on the James? I thought that was all private land.

[jbooth24]

The bank like on the rocks is we're i do. Most land owners won't say anything of you clean up your mess after your done and don't so anything stupid. Like start a Forrest fire

[ozark trout fisher]

Doesn't matter in the least if its private land. As long as you stay below the high water mark (including almost all gravel bars, where most everyone camps along rivers) you're not trespassing and completely within the law. It doesn't excuse you of the occasional awkward encounter with a landowner unfamiliar with state law (though it's pretty rare) but it does mean you'll be in the right, if that happens to be worth anything.

Of course if you are above the high water mark you put yourself in danger of either the law or an angry landowner, whichever you find more pressing. .

[jbooth24]

That is true they caint own the water or soo much of the bank that the river is own that belongs to the state

[bigredbirdfan]

You should do some checking around on this forum website. It is my understanding that landowners own everything to the waters edge including gravel bars. I also believe they own the gravel under the water as well. The only thing that you have a right to is the water flowing through.

[jbooth24]

I thought the same thing but I asked a conservation agent and he said no the state owns soo much of the bank and the water

[Lancer09]

False.

they have everything to the high water mark.

you can also portage on private land if there is no other safe passage Down the river provided you cause no damage and get back in the water as soon as possible.

this is only true for navigable streams.