Paying for a private lake

Fishnngolfn · 09-09-09, 10:13 AM

There is a nice 10 acre lake that I pass everyday on the way to and from work. It is 5 miles from my apartment. It is stocked with brim, shell cracker, and bass. The owner of the lake has limited membership to the lake now and charges $250/year to fish. He would allow me to use my small boat too. He stated that he has around 20 members now and doesn't want to go past 30. I am thinking about paying because it would offer some great bank fishing. Do you guys think that $250/year is a good price? If I joined, I would likely fish the lake at least 2 to 3 times a week since it is on the way to and from work.

I, first, plan on fishing Cooter's Pond (public pond) a few times to see if I have any luck in my boat. If I do then I probably won't pay unless I stumble upon some extra cash. Below is a link to the pay lake. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.asp...cl=1&encType=1

WaffleJaw · 09-09-09, 10:45 AM

so about 21 bucks a month.....3 times a week would be about 1.74 a trip

thats a good size pond,....plus using a small boat.....sounds good to me!

Fishnngolfn · 09-09-09, 11:09 AM

Yeah. I did the calculation as well but being an engineer my numbers came out a bit different because I figured I would fish less during the colder months and I also adjusted for personal time that would influence my fishing trips alond with fishing other lakes. Man, I am a numbers geek. I figured about 90 to 95 times a year. That puts the lake at a little less than $3/trip. It would probably be less since I would fish it in the morning and afternoon on several of the days.

There is a $3 day lake that I have the gate code to that is about 1 mile further down the road but it is definitely a lake that I would need to put my boat in. Bank fishing is very very limited. Jackson Lake

WaffleJaw · 09-09-09, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishnngolfn

Yeah. I did the calculation as well but being an engineer my numbers came out a bit different because I figured I would fish less during the colder months and I also adjusted for personal time that would influence my fishing trips alond with fishing other lakes. Man, I am a numbers geek. I figured about 90 to 95 times a year. That puts the lake at a little less than $3/trip. It would probably be less since I would fish it in the morning and afternoon on several of the days.

There is a $3 day lake that I have the gate code to that is about 1 mile further down the road but it is definitely a lake that I would need to put my boat in. Bank fishing is very very limited. Jackson Lake

haha, yea you did a better formula.
the link to jackson lake wouldnt come up,but is that a private lake as well?
i guess so,if its gated

is it $3 a day just to get in and fish ,or is that a launch fee?

Raul · 09-09-09, 11:46 AM

I would pay the 250 bucks a year if I were to fish 2-3 times a week.

There´s a pay to fish lake not far from where I live, entry fee is 2 dollars ( adult ) and my kid gets in for free, 2 dollars a day for a 8-12 inch bass every 5 minutes isn´t expensive to my eyes taking into consideration that no longer I´m on a quest to catch fish for me, it´s all about the kid catching a truckload of fish and having fun.

Fishnngolfn · 09-09-09, 11:50 AM

Jackson Lake is not private because it is connected to the river. Jackson Lake Island is private. If you are nice and she trusts you, the little old lady gives you the gate code and you just put $3 in a box each time you fish. Yes there is a boat launch fee but she told me that I wouldn't have to pay it using my little boat. That lake doesn't get much fishing pressure except from the boaters from the river. There is a place on the island that looks like it was used for the movie Big Fish. I'll have to ask her next time I'm out there.

Try this link - Jackson Lake

09-09-09, 12:06 PM

I wouldnt pay it. I think its a bit steep. We have a place down here in South Carolina that has 5 ponds. One is about 25 acres and the other is 200 acres. They also have 3 more thats less than 10 acres. He only charges $300.00 a year to fish and $500.00 a year with a campsite.

Fishnngolfn · 09-09-09, 12:14 PM

The other thing that I am leary about is I don't know how well the lake is maintained - i.e. culling of the brim, keeping the grass cut around the bank, etc. The lake used to be open for the public, but he closed it around 5 years ago because he said it was getting a bit out of control. I'm just not sure. I would like to fish it a couple of times before I make my decision. I forgot to ask him if I could do that.

If I can catch decent size and numbers of bass on Cooters Pond on the weekend with my boat, I may just stick to my boss' pond for bank fishing. I'll know about Cooters Pond this Sat. Hopefully I am back here with some good pics and a story.

WaffleJaw · 09-09-09, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishnngolfn

Jackson Lake is not private because it is connected to the river. Jackson Lake Island is private. If you are nice and she trusts you, the little old lady gives you the gate code and you just put $3 in a box each time you fish. Yes there is a boat launch fee but she told me that I wouldn't have to pay it using my little boat. That lake doesn't get much fishing pressure except from the boaters from the river. There is a place on the island that looks like it was used for the movie Big Fish. I'll have to ask her next time I'm out there.

Try this link - Jackson Lake

weird,ive never seen a ''pay to fish'' lake

....theres nothing like that around me..
most ramps are free as well,too.

but even at 3 bucks a day...at least its reasonable......we invest so much already in a license,gear,tackle,etc,etc.....seems silly to have to pay extra to use it......but i guess it least its not a hunting lease,lol

Fishnngolfn · 09-09-09, 12:38 PM

The lady owns Jackson island and charges to use it. You can camp there too. It looks kind of run down. All that is maintained are the roads and some grassy areas around the some of the roads and boat ramp. Bank fishing is basically non-existent. They let the grass and trees grow up around the banks and some banks are pretty steep anyways. I like that it looks pretty "un-maintained". To me, that just means that the area is not used that much and fishing pressure is low.

Most people see the gate and turn around. The signs say "Members Only" and "Tresspassers will be prosecuted". It also doesn't have any addresses or phone numbers to show you how to become a member. I just lucked out when talking to a local tackle shop owner near Cooters Pond. He told me which house to knock on to get a membership. The little old lady was very cautious and it took a bit of sweet talking to get her to let me "join". I signed a waiver that I wouldn't sue her if I got hurt on her property and she gave me the code to the gate. The $3/day is on an honor system.

The Meat Fisher · 09-09-09, 12:39 PM

The lake doesn't look to good from a bird's eye view(needs vegetation)but if there are good fish in it I'd Go for it. I would definetly try to find more places to fish first in case it's not worth it.

Fishnngolfn · 09-09-09, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Meat Fisher

The lake doesn't look to good from a bird's eye view(needs vegetation)but if there are good fish in it I'd Go for it. I would definetly try to find more places to fish first in case it's not worth it.

The owner of the $250/year lake (Taylor Lake is what I call it) said that his son caught a few 6 to 7 pounders in it. I'm still a bit leary.

cassidyta · 09-09-09, 01:29 PM

I don't have a single lake near me that is not pay to fish. So the $250 per year sounds reasonable. Especially if it is somewhere that you might go multiple times a day. The fact that they want to limit membership only helps.
Most of my lakes/resevoirs are $8 to fish with a $7 launch fee added on.

zooker · 09-09-09, 01:56 PM

one of the best kept secerts around here is the city pay lakes..i belive it is $9.50 to launch and fish them.. but they tote some of the best underfished water in the state..

about pay lake fish well...see for your self..

nuff said..

zooker

nofearengineer · 09-09-09, 02:14 PM

Man...I thought you guys had lots of lakes around your neck of the woods. This whole "pay lake" thing is a bit alien to me. Yes, there are one or two around my hometown, but there are hundreds upon hundreds of free lakes to go to.

I don't know about you, but I'd get tired of fishing the same 10 acres over and over again. You might start out fishing it 3 days per week, but I bet it putters down to 1 or 2 before you know it.

JB · 09-09-09, 03:59 PM

we have several old stone quarrys that are are now pay to fish, same type of set up, about the same price. I'd go for it if ya can afford it.

Fishnngolfn · 09-09-09, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

Man...I thought you guys had lots of lakes around your neck of the woods. This whole "pay lake" thing is a bit alien to me. Yes, there are one or two around my hometown, but there are hundreds upon hundreds of free lakes to go to.

I don't know about you, but I'd get tired of fishing the same 10 acres over and over again. You might start out fishing it 3 days per week, but I bet it putters down to 1 or 2 before you know it.

I was thinking the same thing. I'm kind of pumped right now because the whole town and area is new to me, but after a few months of fishing, I think I will develop my own favorite spots and I imagine they are going to be the free ones. I have always traveled through here with my job and wanted to stop and go fishing because there is so much public water. Now that I have moved here, I am like a kid on his first trip to Toys R Us - I don't know what direction to go first...lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB

we have several old stone quarrys that are are now pay to fish, same type of set up, about the same price. I'd go for it if ya can afford it.

I do want to fish the guy's lake but I don't want to pay $250 to find out if I like it or not. I would like to fish it a couple of times to see if it is something that I would actually get my money's worth. I guess I can just ask him if I can fish it a couple times first and see what he says. No harm in just asking the question. There was a pay lake in Alabaster that I fished a few times but didn't like because it was a very pressured 3 acre pond and the bite was tough. I don't expect to catch 30 bass every time I go fishing but I don't like fishing a pond if I only get a couple fish or a few bites every 5 or 6 trips out on the water.

Bubba_Bruiser · 09-09-09, 04:50 PM

Our private pay lakes run about the same around here with a stipulation, you can't go during deer season (Oct-Feb). And the state lakes can be pricey at about $12, depending how many are in the boat, with not the best fishing. But I reckon it all holds its value to the user. I would try to fish it a time or two before bailing off in it. I wouldn't pay 1000 for a deer lease in the blind and I don't think I would for a place to fish either. On the other hand, if it has a bunch of small fish though, it might be a good private bonding place with your kids.

JB · 09-09-09, 05:02 PM

Any way you could talk to members and get a feel for the quality of bass and pressure on the lake, also is it catch and release?

1/4 stick · 09-09-09, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB

Any way you could talk to members and get a feel for the quality of bass and pressure on the lake, also is it catch and release?

If it was great fishing, would they tell the truth? Or try to limit the fishing preasure on the lake? Least that'd be what I would be thinking. I'd ask if I could fish it at least once to see if I think it'd be worth it.

But I'm cheap, I even wrapped duct tape around a pair of work boots to hold the sole on once just to get my money's worth out of them. $30 walmart bo-techs, I wore em 4 years getting them bloody and wet everyday. I walked right out of them before I took the crowbar to my beer money wallet and bought new ones.

BigBassin144 · 09-09-09, 06:14 PM

I'm with 1/4 on this one. Ask for a demo day or two to see if it's worth your money, but make sure the owner know's your serious if it is good fishing and not just trying to fish there for free.

BB

MallenManson · 09-09-09, 06:34 PM

If it's good fishing and 5 miles from your place, I'd pay up if it were me. If you're gonna fish it as much as you say you will, the costs are pretty minimal.

What DB mentioned is really awesome! 5 ponds and a campsite for 500 bucks? Heckuva deal

09-09-09, 06:40 PM

Mallenmanson: The fish are in there to. You can go and catch anywhere from 5 to 25 a day. Good quality as well.

MallenManson · 09-09-09, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonaldBreland

Mallenmanson: The fish are in there to. You can go and catch anywhere from 5 to 25 a day. Good quality as well.

That really is a great deal. I'd be camping out there all the time

09-09-09, 08:28 PM

I used to. That's where I learned how to fish at. I fished there almost 125 days a year for 8 years. It's only 10 minutes away from my house so it was easy access. It gets boring fishing the same old thing but growing up all I had was fishing.

09-09-09, 10:13 AM	#1
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	Paying for a private lake There is a nice 10 acre lake that I pass everyday on the way to and from work. It is 5 miles from my apartment. It is stocked with brim, shell cracker, and bass. The owner of the lake has limited membership to the lake now and charges $250/year to fish. He would allow me to use my small boat too. He stated that he has around 20 members now and doesn't want to go past 30. I am thinking about paying because it would offer some great bank fishing. Do you guys think that $250/year is a good price? If I joined, I would likely fish the lake at least 2 to 3 times a week since it is on the way to and from work. I, first, plan on fishing Cooter's Pond (public pond) a few times to see if I have any luck in my boat. If I do then I probably won't pay unless I stumble upon some extra cash. Below is a link to the pay lake. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. http://www.bing.com/maps/default.asp...cl=1&encType=1

09-09-09, 10:45 AM	#2
WaffleJaw BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas,TX (DFW) Posts: 2,212	so about 21 bucks a month.....3 times a week would be about 1.74 a trip thats a good size pond,....plus using a small boat.....sounds good to me! __________________ [nelsoncustomrods.com]

09-09-09, 12:39 PM	#11
The Meat Fisher BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 42	The lake doesn't look to good from a bird's eye view(needs vegetation)but if there are good fish in it I'd Go for it. I would definetly try to find more places to fish first in case it's not worth it. __________________ the Last Saskatchewan Pirate

09-09-09, 01:29 PM	#13
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	I don't have a single lake near me that is not pay to fish. So the $250 per year sounds reasonable. Especially if it is somewhere that you might go multiple times a day. The fact that they want to limit membership only helps. Most of my lakes/resevoirs are $8 to fish with a $7 launch fee added on. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

09-09-09, 01:56 PM	#14
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	one of the best kept secerts around here is the city pay lakes..i belive it is $9.50 to launch and fish them.. but they tote some of the best underfished water in the state.. about pay lake fish well...see for your self.. nuff said.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

09-09-09, 11:09 AM	#3
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	Yeah. I did the calculation as well but being an engineer my numbers came out a bit different because I figured I would fish less during the colder months and I also adjusted for personal time that would influence my fishing trips alond with fishing other lakes. Man, I am a numbers geek. I figured about 90 to 95 times a year. That puts the lake at a little less than $3/trip. It would probably be less since I would fish it in the morning and afternoon on several of the days. There is a $3 day lake that I have the gate code to that is about 1 mile further down the road but it is definitely a lake that I would need to put my boat in. Bank fishing is very very limited. Jackson Lake

09-09-09, 11:46 AM	#5
Raul BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,030	I would pay the 250 bucks a year if I were to fish 2-3 times a week. There´s a pay to fish lake not far from where I live, entry fee is 2 dollars ( adult ) and my kid gets in for free, 2 dollars a day for a 8-12 inch bass every 5 minutes isn´t expensive to my eyes taking into consideration that no longer I´m on a quest to catch fish for me, it´s all about the kid catching a truckload of fish and having fun.

09-09-09, 11:50 AM	#6
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	Jackson Lake is not private because it is connected to the river. Jackson Lake Island is private. If you are nice and she trusts you, the little old lady gives you the gate code and you just put $3 in a box each time you fish. Yes there is a boat launch fee but she told me that I wouldn't have to pay it using my little boat. That lake doesn't get much fishing pressure except from the boaters from the river. There is a place on the island that looks like it was used for the movie Big Fish. I'll have to ask her next time I'm out there. Try this link - Jackson Lake

09-09-09, 12:06 PM	#7
DonaldBreland Guest Posts: n/a	I wouldnt pay it. I think its a bit steep. We have a place down here in South Carolina that has 5 ponds. One is about 25 acres and the other is 200 acres. They also have 3 more thats less than 10 acres. He only charges $300.00 a year to fish and $500.00 a year with a campsite.

09-09-09, 12:14 PM	#8
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	The other thing that I am leary about is I don't know how well the lake is maintained - i.e. culling of the brim, keeping the grass cut around the bank, etc. The lake used to be open for the public, but he closed it around 5 years ago because he said it was getting a bit out of control. I'm just not sure. I would like to fish it a couple of times before I make my decision. I forgot to ask him if I could do that. If I can catch decent size and numbers of bass on Cooters Pond on the weekend with my boat, I may just stick to my boss' pond for bank fishing. I'll know about Cooters Pond this Sat. Hopefully I am back here with some good pics and a story.

09-09-09, 12:38 PM	#10
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	The lady owns Jackson island and charges to use it. You can camp there too. It looks kind of run down. All that is maintained are the roads and some grassy areas around the some of the roads and boat ramp. Bank fishing is basically non-existent. They let the grass and trees grow up around the banks and some banks are pretty steep anyways. I like that it looks pretty "un-maintained". To me, that just means that the area is not used that much and fishing pressure is low. Most people see the gate and turn around. The signs say "Members Only" and "Tresspassers will be prosecuted". It also doesn't have any addresses or phone numbers to show you how to become a member. I just lucked out when talking to a local tackle shop owner near Cooters Pond. He told me which house to knock on to get a membership. The little old lady was very cautious and it took a bit of sweet talking to get her to let me "join". I signed a waiver that I wouldn't sue her if I got hurt on her property and she gave me the code to the gate. The $3/day is on an honor system.

09-09-09, 02:14 PM	#15
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Man...I thought you guys had lots of lakes around your neck of the woods. This whole "pay lake" thing is a bit alien to me. Yes, there are one or two around my hometown, but there are hundreds upon hundreds of free lakes to go to. I don't know about you, but I'd get tired of fishing the same 10 acres over and over again. You might start out fishing it 3 days per week, but I bet it putters down to 1 or 2 before you know it. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

09-09-09, 03:59 PM	#16
JB BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,655	we have several old stone quarrys that are are now pay to fish, same type of set up, about the same price. I'd go for it if ya can afford it.

09-09-09, 04:50 PM	#18
Bubba_Bruiser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South MS Posts: 3,659	Our private pay lakes run about the same around here with a stipulation, you can't go during deer season (Oct-Feb). And the state lakes can be pricey at about $12, depending how many are in the boat, with not the best fishing. But I reckon it all holds its value to the user. I would try to fish it a time or two before bailing off in it. I wouldn't pay 1000 for a deer lease in the blind and I don't think I would for a place to fish either. On the other hand, if it has a bunch of small fish though, it might be a good private bonding place with your kids. __________________ \,,,,/ ROCK ON! HRN4L!

09-09-09, 05:02 PM	#19
JB BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,655	Any way you could talk to members and get a feel for the quality of bass and pressure on the lake, also is it catch and release?

09-09-09, 06:14 PM	#21
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	I'm with 1/4 on this one. Ask for a demo day or two to see if it's worth your money, but make sure the owner know's your serious if it is good fishing and not just trying to fish there for free. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

09-09-09, 06:34 PM	#22
MallenManson BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beulah, Michigan Posts: 6,431	If it's good fishing and 5 miles from your place, I'd pay up if it were me. If you're gonna fish it as much as you say you will, the costs are pretty minimal. What DB mentioned is really awesome! 5 ponds and a campsite for 500 bucks? Heckuva deal __________________ Bass fear me. Women pepperspray me.....

09-09-09, 06:40 PM	#23
DonaldBreland Guest Posts: n/a	Mallenmanson: The fish are in there to. You can go and catch anywhere from 5 to 25 a day. Good quality as well.

09-09-09, 08:28 PM	#25
DonaldBreland Guest Posts: n/a	I used to. That's where I learned how to fish at. I fished there almost 125 days a year for 8 years. It's only 10 minutes away from my house so it was easy access. It gets boring fishing the same old thing but growing up all I had was fishing.

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