Record fish : I don't think it's fair.

[bassinbob]

In Pa. if you catch a record fish in a private lake that is a new record it doesn't count. Now what I don't think is fair is you need a license to fish a private lake. The exceptions are if you are the owner or owners family, and if you work for the land/pond owner. The state doesn't stock any private ponds nor manage them. I can see their argument: selective feeding and breeding, etc. Why the heck should I buy a license to fish in a private body of water the state has nothing to do with?

[bassboogieman]

If you're like most PA fishermen you already possess a license. But buying a state license to only fish ONE private lake wouldn't make much sense. If I was only fishing one private lake, and had the owner's permission of course, I wouldn't buy a license. What F&G Warden is going to check a private pond? After seeing all the (ethnic identity deleted) that fish from the banks at some of the lakes I fish, putting every freaking fish caught in a 5 gallon bucket - I would have NO guilt. I haven't seen any of "those people" displaying a PA fishing license either, or a F&G Warden within miles when they line up on the bank.

[nofearengineer]

That is a ridiculous rule (the needing a license part..the other makes sense). Just another example of how screwed up our society has become to allow restriction of private property like that.

[kennethdaysale]

Doesn't count? ridiculous.
@bassboogieman...i fish a lake "managed" by the state. Been fishing there for over 10 years..lake is lined with "ethnic identity withheld" dropping every fish they catch in their pickle buckets. Never saw a warden in 10 years. Finally in disgust I called the F&G office and told them what was going on and advised them they were losing a lot of money in unwritten tickets not to mention the # of fish. 1 week later after a day of fishing there's a warden waiting at the ramp and writes me a ticket for not having a functioning whistle. Go figure

[joedog]

The record part I understand the rest not so much. In Wisconsin everyone of age, owner and family included, must hold and possess said license while fishing. Every pond fish is individually inspected and certified before release into the pond. (Ya I'm sure thats happening) State feels you do indeed own the land....but not the water.
Had a friend who owned a little farmette outside town. Had a natual deep ditch on his land. Decided to dig it deeper and hit water. Pond forms about 3/4 acre diameter. F&G came in, said once the water table was accessed they were now in charge. Massive and lengthy court battle. The land owner ended up filling the pond back to original state. There's still a deep ditch. Crazy huh?

[Marty]

Similar rules here in NY. Private waters require a license except for owners, lessees and their families. I think a fish from private waters qualifies for a record.

[nofearengineer]

Anything to take more money from you.

[Bassboss]

Well what business do they have on your land? Is the fact that you're fishing enough probably cause to good check if you have a licence?

[lilmule]

If you notice landowners who own it dont need a lic and their are those who would remove a large brood fish the owner does not want removed.
I once back in ohio gave permisson for a guy to bring his kid and fish a pond on my farm ,with a no keep rule,other than bluegill,fun catch and toss back the kid caught a 6lber and guess what.
Since they had killed it told the dad out of earshot to never come back.
Do I think it was a great experience for the kid yeah,but my pond my rules.

[joedog]

In Wisconsin you do need a lic even if you own the land, dig the pond and stock it.(and each individual fish must get certified at a cost of like $2 a fish)
Now for an extra fee you can get like some sort of special lic or permit declaring it a fish farm. Then no one needs a lic. It's like what those road side Trout Ponds you see do. You pay to fish in the pond. They then clean and wrap it for you. (this is a must) So they now govern it like a retail product. Again when you buy the entry fee you pay tax on the transaction, just like retail.
In Wisconsin it dosn't mater who owns the land, the Govt. owns any and all water and access rights to get to said water.
Crazy huh?

[basshunter21]

I never thought you needed a license to fish a private pond here in PA. You are right it doesnt make much sense.

Hey bassinbob, do you ever come up to ERIE and fish at the peninsula??

At the peninsula every summer they have a carp bow fishing tournament. At the end of the day at the weigh-ins their wills be tons of big black trash bags just filled with nasty carp. The best part of the day is seeing the stampede of black people fighting over the bags of carp!!

ps- yes i know thats bad, but it is just hysterical. You cant help but laugh, they damn near fight over them like you saw on the news with them fighting over those new Nikes!

[kennethdaysale]

@basshunter21.........it's not bad if it's simply an observation...I didn't read anything bigoted in your post............I've seen the same phenomenon, kinda reminds me of buzzards circling a gut-wagon

[bassinbob]

Basshunter, I haven't fished the peninsula since the early 60's. If I remember all we caught were cats and sheepshead. I fish Pymatuning a lot. I have a cabin there.
On another note basshunter, don't you need a lake Erie stamp even if you only want to fish for bass there? I also feel that's unfair.

[basshunter21]

ya I know, but now a days theres so many sensitive sallys out in the world today. How dare I offend someone! Im not talking about people on the forum here, but just people in general.

From being on this forum for about a yr and a half now I can honestly say this is the best forum ive come acrossed online no matter what type of forum.

Everyone on here is so friendly and helpful, very rare to find a forum with such a great group of people.

[basshunter21]

Originally Posted by bassinbob

Basshunter, I haven't fished the peninsula since the early 60's. If I remember all we caught were cats and sheepshead. I fish Pymatuning a lot. I have a cabin there.
On another note basshunter, don't you need a lake Erie stamp even if you only want to fish for bass there? I also feel that's unfair.

Ya man, you need the lake stamp. I feel its unfair as well but what are ya gonna do ya know?

I havent been on the site lately but I do recall you have a boat dont you? During the summer the bay has some huge small mouths. I think you would really enjoy coming up here to fish.

[MallenManson]

Record fish in private lakes doesn't count in Michigan either

[Dogmatic]

I get that damn Lake Erie stamp every year...maybe some day I will get up there, long drive though.

[basshunter21]

Ya thats quite a drive for ya. Theirs a lot of great fishing here though