Just GRIN and drop em!!!!!!

I thought you were talking about a city park under the management of the city. You don't need a fishing license to fish in these. If it is under the management of TPWD, then yes you would.

Just tell them you would rather release it so the little kids can catch it next time. We should always save some for the kids.

What I don't get is WHY would a person even want the fish if they didn't catch it. It's a prize for your work that you put in. I never give them to people but that doesn't stop them from asking.

I wish i could catch a damn fish so someone could ask me for it... haha but i would still throw it back..

I think I caught about 10 fish that would keep out of that pond today...

10 fish that big out of a 1 acre pond adds up quickly...that's why i let them go, especially considering I'll probably fish it a couple times a week (won't always catch that many in a day though, especially after I edumacate these bass).


I have no problem keeping 14-18" fish out of a large lake though, as I do like eating bass.

I just let em go, if they can catch them they're more than welcome to keep em.

Tell em that you will give them the fish if you can throw one of their kids in as a replacement...LOL..Its your fish..&%^$#@* em! And thanks for making it easier for the rest of us to catch a fish in those ponds!

Because the people asking are not sportsmen. They keep everything they catch, legal or not. A good number of them have no fishing license. It is an element of our society that we all know well. That is all I have to say on that. Make your own decision on what this means to you. I know what it means to me.

I ask to see their fishing license first. That seperates the hungry sportsman from the lazy scum out there raping the resource.

No liceanse = no fish.

Should you need to ask in spanish, it is "licencia de pesca?"

I dont think you should let this bother you! If you believe in catch and release, then tell them sorry and that you believe in catch and realease; if you dont have strong feelings for catch n release than give them the fish.

Regardless, I dont think that you should worry too much about it. I wouldnt!! You caught it, its your fish, so do what you want.

It sounds like you are just disgusted with the atmosphere of these ponds you fish. Maybee you should try and look for a place that is a little more secluded. I dont know if that is possible but thats what I would do. Isnt there a river around there somewhere?

Give them several undersized fish and then call Operation Game Thief.

Just wait one of these days one of them will ask for the fish and when you give it to them they'll ask you to show them how to clean it. Beggers have no limits.

i get that stuff too, i just tell 'em i think its to small as i gently toss it back in the water, and i will tell em the same thing every time, they can buy a license and catch their own and i tell 'em that too.

ag,

Simple answer: Give them the fish and be thankful that you are so blessed that you can fish for pleasure and not to meet your physical needs.

This "giving of fish" is part of the age-old question and I struggle with it as you do. Chances are that the person asking for the fish is going to eat it for dinner plain and simple.. As I see it you and I have been given an opportunity with the fishing skills we have developed to do more then entertain or feed ourselves. I believe we often miss what is important here and that is the "need" that might go unfulfilled. As I get older and begin to see the world with experiences gained from too many birthdays gone by, I am better able to put a few things in perspective. What we have created in this modern America is a Governmental body of laws that have almost made it illegal to be poor. You and I currently are on top of the mountain whether deserved or not but there are many more who are desperately clawing their way up with nothing left to give but their very life.. We naturally don't want any of our efforts or money wasted and it is not up to us to judge but it is in our best interest to know their motive..

I always tell people if they want to keep some fish they better learn to catch them, I'll catch this one again.5

hook-line, its not like these are somepoor indiginous people dying for their next meal. If they are so poor that they relied on the fish from neighborhood ponds to survive then they would be alot better at catching their own dinner. Trust me, I have seen poor Mexican kids at Falcon using coke cans as a makeshift spinning reel to cast out lures and catch fish. Its amazing how good they are with them, becase "they have to be!"

The people he is talking about seem to simply be freeloaders that want to kill and eat everything that comes out of the water, and know no better!

if it is public waters then you must have a license , only private ponds completely within the boundaries of said property do you not need a license

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/fish/index.phtml#license

Here's the important text.

"Who needs a fishing license?

A fishing license is required of anyone who fishes in the public waters of Texas. This covers all the legal means and methods used for taking fish from rod and reel to bow fishing. All persons under 17 years of age, whether Texas residents or non-residents, are exempt from license requirements. Texas residents who were born before September 1, 1930 are exempt from license requirements. Texas residents who are 65 years of age and older and who were born after September 1, 1930 may purchase a Senior Resident Fishing License. Please see the Outdoor Annual for additional information on age requirements and other exemptions.
"

Just tell them the area has a high concentration of Sorghum halepense. And look real serious....if they ask what it is say "you don't wanna know..."

It could be Bromus erectus.

that is the most sensible and knowledgeable post ive ever read on this forum and totally changed my view to a certain extent on this topic, thank you. i applaud hook-line&sinker.

Not meaning to hijack here, but one question as I am not native to Texas. Aren't the fish that live in these smaller neighborhood quiescent ponds going to taste like dirt? (The stereotypical "mud duck"?)

I am lucky to have a creek running through my hood that I can fish for LMB and cats, but I don't think I would want to eat anything out of it.

gclark dont come to dallas thinking like that . i was just check 2 days ago by the city of dallas police dept fishing in whiterock ( a city owned lake ) and its not my first time in the past 2 months

Its your fish do what you wont with it.And anyone that says different give them the finger.