I know this could be in the ponds section but alot of bass guys see this so I'll start here. What is the best way to obtain permission to fish local private ponds? My friend and I had been fishing an old quarry pond for a year or so and had been waved at by workers and never ran off. One day we went and the gate was locked, so we just walked down the road with a pond hopper and fished it. As we loaded up two trucks arrived from inside the gate. It was the landowner and he wasn't happy at all. We told him that we had been there numerous times and never had a problem, he told us he loved that two young men were so interested in fishing, but wouldn't allow us to return so we never did. It's been nearly a year and I miss my old pond. Being in high school with work and sports it's hard to get to fish as often as I like. Sports are over now and the only other place I have permission to is 45 minutes away. What are some ways you guys have used to get permission when you were my age(18). Thanks alot guys

I used to just go knock on the land owners door and ask if he allowed anyone to fish his ponds. What's the worst he could do? Say No. I also found a pond once that I had heard had lots of big bass in it but the guy didnt like to let too many people fish it. So I went and offered to do a little work for him around the house in exchange to go fishing on his pond and he said deal and it was worth it for sure.

P.S. Dont just go hop the fence and start fishing. Learned my lesson the hard way on that one.

It's simple and I have done this a bunch over the years. Walk up to his front door and simply ask him if you can fish his pond. You can offer to bring him some of your catch if he wants to eat some of the fish and also make sure you never leave any sign that you were there like trash, used baits, etc. Most people when asked don't have a problem with it. If you can't get to his front door, write his address down and mail him a letter with the same request.

When I was 18 it was 1978. I'd find ponds I wanted to fish, walk up to the farm house and ask for permission. I told them I would catch and release only, unless they wanted some to eat. In that case, I'd catch and clean whatever they asked for. I would always respect their property, leave gates as I found them, pick up any trash I saw, etc. I had access to all kinds of private waters within an hour or so of home.

Unfortunately, that's very difficult permission to obtain these days. Trespassers trashing people's property is one reason. Over harvest is another. Livestock getting out thru gates that were closed, but left open by folks with access and no respect is another reason. And attorneys, the ambulance chasing kind and insurance companies are the other reason. Also known as liability for what takes place on their property.

All of the above caused access to private places to be severely restricted these days.

And to the bank fishermen who still think it's fine to trespass, SHAME ON YOU. You're the primary reason for all of the above.

Just ask, feel them out as to why they would not allow anyone if turned down, but be respectful. Let them know what your intentions are and how you plan on treeing their property (like it was yours)

Is there anything that you can do to change your mind? A lot are afraid they will get sued if one gets hurt? Provide a waiver of liability if you should get hurt. You could also be doing them a favor by watching the place as well. Catch and release?

Exchange with some favors for doing some work. Provide references if necessary, go in with your guns loaded so that it is all positive letting them know that you are a good person. Maybe invite hime along as well. Heck you could suggest that you can bring him some fish if he likes when you are there? What about paying him? Make a suggestion that is 75% of what you could afford say $75 instead of $100, knowing that you would pay $100, have an agreement all ready to sign with a waiver of liability and leave the amount blank until you agree.

They may need some help around the place so I would not hesitate to offer your services of labor, after the get to know you they might just then let you go.

See if they have any relatives that live in the area, children/grandchildren/aunts/uncles, you may know them but do not know of the connection, if you do, then they can get a reference on you by a kin.

These are just some thoughts. Hope this helps. Remember it is reassurance, you may only be able to go by yourself for a while and not with a buddy like you have before until you get better acquainted.

"Provide a waiver of liability if you should get hurt. "

Absolutely worthless piece of paper, no offense Don.

I would love to knock on his door but he is simply the owner of the property the quarry sits on, there is no house to my knowledge on the property. These ponds were suggested to me by others who have been there and the gate is always open to workers etc and closes around 6. We would always park outside the gate, so that if we stayed longer then 6( which we always did cause the fishing was great) we were not locked in. There was nothing sneaky about it at all, carrying small boats and kayaks a quarter mile, along with gear and trolling motor and battery. Catch and release only and never told anyone about the place. I'm gonna try to find a mailing address, but I think the letter would go to the quarry owner, not the land owner. I've thought of the suggestions above for a while, hopefully I can find a solution

Well, if those two trucks came from "inside the gate" and one was the landowner, he's gotta have a home near by, if not on the property. Without knowing more, I dunno. But the landowner is the one who controls what happens on his property. The quarry sounds like a lease-type deal for the "workers"

quarry owner/land owner they should be the same. however the landowner may have leased to someone who has the quarry.

if you want a mailing address, if you know the county the property in then go to the appraisal district for that county online. Almost all counites have theire tax records online and it is a free service and you can search for the property owner. You will have to b creative though.

PM me and I can see about helping you. I have done this before when trying to find the owner of a specific property and there is now house on property.

I agree, but if it gets him on the property then so be it.