I'm a big old SOB with long hair, so I guess the power plays are expected once in a while. But it did upset me when he said the lake had signs posted (they don't) and when I asked if he could point those out to me, he put his hands on his gun and said "if you want to argue with me I can write you up a ticket." Especially in front of my daughter who freaked out when he put his hands on his gun. I don't think that show of force was called for. But oh well, like everyone has said, it's not worth getting too rattled over.

I do wonder though how this argument would hold over in a court of law...

"Judge...there are no signs posted about the park closing or no fishing at night. Until there are signs posted, how are bank fishing anglers supposed to know when the park closes?"

Most city parks, even little towns, have a sign posted if it is a big deal to them about a park closing at certain times. Also most cities now have their ordinances online that you can look up for yourself. If not you can go to the city and ask them in person to help you look the ordinance up. If it isn't a legal ordinance, you still should obey the officer. Maybe it could be written about in the local newspaper in the Letters to the Editor section ...and see what others want for their city. Most cities that I know of do not like after hours park visitation which would be after dark, or say by 9-10 pm or so. The reason is it is a good place for people to get hurt, in trouble, gang activity, or illegal drugs, violence of all kinds, and gambling etc...
As far as if you are FISHING, that should be a ok thing to do in my opinion.

If you really wanted to press it, get a few folks to question the police dept head honcho as to why they are trying to enforce a non-existing code. (I'd do that over the phone) It might help you, or they may just put up a sign to be done with you...still they need the ordinance in writing by the city, which is an easy thing to get passed. (thats why a letter to the paper is good possibly)

I just got that, lol!

Thanks for the comments kelkay. I usually fish at night closer to the boat ramps, this was the first time I fished further down in the park, which happens to be across from nice houses. So next time I'll stick closer to the boat ramps.

It is legal to fish any of the City of Dallas owned lakes after park closure, City of Dallas Development Code is referenced below.


SEC. 32-9.1. HOURS OF CLOSURE FOR PUBLIC PARKS.
(a) All public parks located within the city, except Barnes Bridge park, Bachman Creek Greenbelt, and William B. Dean park, are closed to the public each day from 12:00 midnight until 5:00 a.m.
(c) A person commits an offense if he is on the premises of a public park during hours in which the park is closed.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (c) that the person was:
(4) entering or leaving, or engaged in legal boating on or fishing from the bank or water surface of, any of the following:
(A) Lake Ray Hubbard;
(B) Mountain Creek Lake;
(C) White Rock Lake;
(D) Lemmon Lake;
(E) Blue Lake;
(F) a body of water located within the Trinity River Greenbelt; or
(G) that part of Joe Pool Lake within the city's jurisdiction.

mp2 too your saying its legal to do so, but it seems the rules you posted say the opposite ?please clarify if you dont mind .

Same thing happened to me and my BIL at Oak Point Park on LL. I wanted to hand him rod and let him have at it. I could tell he was jonesin to get a line wet. Poor guy, having to work on such a pretty spring day.

thanks for pasting the city code. looked it up myself and made a printout. don't plan to shove it down an officer's throat, but it is definitely going in my tackle bag. you never know when that may come in handy.

jesse, while i am no lawyer, i believe the important part is where it states that boating or fishing are a defense to prosecution. i think thats a fancy azz lawyer way of stating an exception to the law.

thanks eric

Jesse, I have traveling and missed your post. Eric said it correctly. Subsection (d)offers defense/exception if you are engaged in the activities listing in (4).

I to carry this ordinance when night fishing. I also carry the ordinance concerning horse power restrictions, since I am usually in my boat.