Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Pay To Fish

I am considering opening part of my pond next year for pay to fish for two days a week. I have used the search method and I did not find that much. Is their anyone doing this so I can contact them concerning rules and etc? I do have a rather deep pond so I would be concerned over children.
Maybe you will say it is not worth the effort, I would appreciate any feed back. thanks

Obviously, some places can make pay lakes profitable; but I have read that a lake can be made out of balance within days by heavy fishing pressure. The additional management expense / effort and liability insurance costs may or may not be worth it. Probably depends upon location and the rules you establish, value of your time (managing and monitoring it) too.

A huge factor is probably your personal situation. Do you have spare time and would enjoy visiting with the people coming to fish or would you have to hire someone to supervise it and constantly worry about your lake being out of balance?

When I built my lake (around 17 acres), I had several people encouraging me to build a cabin or two on my island (around 1 acre) and / or around the edges and rent them out. I considered it very briefly and I might have made some money; but I didn't build the lake as a revenue source. I built it as an escape from the demands and stresses of the real world and that is what I most need from it at this point in my life.

deaner,

A couple of key factors come into play, in my opinion. First, how large is the pond/lake and what species are we talking about?

If you are talking about LMB, I would say no way unless you have a minimum of 20 acres. Several folks have posted herein, not just me, about the difficulties of catching and recatching and recatching LMB. That kind of fishing pressure on LMB in water less than 20 acres (possibly even more as I reminded of the 50 acre lake report with difficult to catch LMB).

A catfish "put and take" operation would be much more feasible for small waters.

Apart from all that, are you sure you want the public in fishing your water twice a week?

I have no experience running this sort of operation but I used to visit a small lake (10 -15 acres) in Albany, NY. There was no fee to fish but their was a shop. It was located at the only entrance and sold food, bait, tackle and boat rentals. He also had pictures of lots of big fish caught out of the lake. Personally, I never caught anything except some spectacular BGs but it was a lot of fun.

Now there's an angle for you deaner!

AND, you have to deep them all. Cost X per pound.

Keep, not deep. too late!

deaner,

There was an article on this topic in the Dallas Morning News Sunday edition, the last week in July. The net of the article was that a group of investors established a "Fishing Club", membership required. The Club has access to private lakes for "memebers only" by leasing exclusive fishing rights for memebers with individual pond owners. Seems they were have a good run at it according to the article...perhaps there are some Fishing Clubs in your area?

I had an 8.5 acre lake about two hours from where I lived, that I was approached about leasing it out. It was for a good amount of money too. Pay lake around here seem to do quite well.

Like others have said, it depends on your goals and needs. If you think there won't be to much pressure and want to make some money, do it. You could always open that place, take the income, and make another place just for you....while having income.

And I am an idiot because Deaner asked the question. lol

Many thanks to all it will give me ideas and many things to think about. My pond is only 3 acres about 12 to 14 feet deep with bream and large mouth bass. So it may not be practical, I am retired with a little spare time and lots of moma do jobs. thanks again

Deaner, just a thought...If you had a couple of grow out ponds for HSB to restock the pay lake with it might keep the balance of the pond in conjunction with happy customers. Agree with Burgermeister though would probably have to charge for the fish caught in this type operation.