Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Am I being an a#$?

We just bought 9.5 acres with a beautiful 2 acre stocked pond. The land was a 28 acre farm divided into four parcels. The original house is on a different lot than our pond but sits fairly close to it. Our house is going to be built way back with the pond essentially being our front yard. Now the occupant in the original house and various neighbors are constantly asking if they can fish the pond. "Hello, I'm Joe, you don't mind if I put my pole in your pond sometimes?" Well, I wouldn't mind but I think it is a little rude to ask the first time we meet and before our house is even built. Also, I don't want to give people permission to just drop in my front yard anytime they feel like it. I'd prefer that they call and ask each time they want to fish it. Already we've seen beer cans and plates all over the place where people have taken liberties. We're moving to the country from the city for peace and privacy and we'd like our place not to be a community pond. Any suggestions on how to handle this or is my pond destined to be community property and I'm just being an a#$.

Learn to just say NO!

Welcome Carlyle. Unfortunately, most of us have learned that being a nice guy doesn't pay off. I would tell them, nicely but firmly, that I was going to try to manage the pond for big fish. First step is to determine what is in it and keep records. Unfortunately, community ponds usually don't meet the owners objectives. However, they do meet everyones elses objectives.

If someone takes offense, just tell them that they should have purchased it.

Forget that. I feel ya. Just tell 'em no. That kinda thing would drive me crazy..

I believe that good fences that are locked make good neighbors.

Tell them no, but use diplomacy. For those who ask, tell them, the pond is only for your immediate family. Your family has wanted a private fishing pond for themselves, that's one of the main reasons you moved there. State that it's easier on yourself to post it as private, with no trespassing, that way everyone is treated equal. Make sure to add an alternative like "there's always lake xxx, it's a few minutes away and has fish much larger than the ones in your pond." If you're still talking after that, mix in a story about the excessive pond moss and the off taste of your fish. (I'm not encouraging you to lie...but fresh fish don't taste like store bought !)

A pond and land take a lot of work. Maybe you could incorporate some of the neighbors to become stewards of the land. Let them know what your long term plains are and what your expectations are for the land, and how IMPORTANT your privacy is to you. Let a few select people have access on a limited basis and empower them to keep out the masses. Let them know what a privilege it is that your allowing them access to your property then allow them to enforce your standards. You can not watch your pond all the time, but several people can keep close tabs on the coming and goings. This approach has worked for my thus far. I allow a few select ADULTS to fish in my pond or train the dogs on my impound in return the help with projects like wood duck boxes ,fish stocking, fish structures, GRASS CUTTING. They always call before they come and they pick up ANY TRASH left behind .I recently allowed and older man bow hunting rights on our small plot, he in turn offered to buy 300 HBGills for our pond, and help keep out the 4wheelers that burn up our woods. It is kind of of the carrot and the stick approach! I let them all know that it is private property and I can and will shut it down if it gets out of hand thus far it has been a positive for all.

My Grandpa, who was a farmer, always said to do things for others before ever asking them for a favor. It is entirely inappropriate to ask to fish your pond on the first meeting...and I mean that strongly.

I do not think you are being an a%#.

I think we all want to give people the benefit of the doubt, however, it has been my experience with ponds and hunting grounds, that the majority of people wanting to use the grounds could give a sh*t about taking care of it.

If you've already seen garbage around, that is exactly what locals think of "using" the natural resources.

One realistic way to respond to people (which reflects some of what has been said) is to tell them that you need to get a grip or understanding of what you have existing in the pond, and until that time comes, you do not want anyone touching the pond. That sets a ground rule and an expectation.

This also allows you to gauge any individual's response. A true enthusiast would fully understand that, and might even want to participate. Only a true asshole would get pissed, and that's they guy who will be a future problem. Might as well address him firmly from the start.

Bruce, are you now from Denton, NE.?

With a 2 acre pond it is next to impossible to manage it and keep some type of balance if a bunch of people are fishing and any are keeping fish.That is because you don't know what they have done. That alone is enough to just say no fishing until we asses the pond . I would also not want the liability of a bunch of people coming on the property.

Sunil,

I've always been from Lincoln, but my ponds have always been from Denton.

Thanks alot for the responses. I've been lurking for awhile and have learned so much from you guys in a short time.

Carlyle, if you do searches for "trespassing" and "trespassers" you should find a lot of discussion on theoretical and practical ways of handling this type of situation. Many of us have had or worry about similar problems; the absentee Pondmeisters probably have it far and away the worst (see if you can learn what a "Dallas Cowboy" is!).

I beleive I tend toward the hardnose end of the spectrum on how I handle the problem of outsider access ("If you want to hunt/fish/4-wheel on private property, buy your own - otherwise the county park is a half mile that way.") but the people who ask the first time they met you did at least ask, which is better than the people you find (or find evidence of) poaching the pond without their every talked to you. Say NO if that's how you feel, remember who does what wrt future evaluations on whether you want to let anyone fish your pond and whether you would trust particular people with anything at all. For example, I have a coworker I would let hunt/fish my place with no more than a short explanation of the property boundaries and my pond's fishing limits, and I have a Brother-in-law who I wouldn't trust on my place (for ANY reason) with my back turned.

Welcome Carlyle!

Your question has been tossed around this board in the past and all previous posts offer good advice but I'm going to saddle up with salth2ocowboy. My ponds are open to my neighbors, but the offer comes with rules, verbal not posted. Violate the rules and the priviledge will be taken away. It gives me great satisfaction to see my neighbor(s) and their son/daughter drowning worms in my ponds. You should be thankful(my opinion)that your neighbors asked for permission as opposed to exerting their "right" to fish in your pond. Perhaps some stewardships roles could be developed to the benefit of all involved.

I recall an article a number of years back that addressed this same situation with a unique twist. The pond owners did allow neighbors to fish their pond but only at certain times. When the invitation was open, they would hoist a green flag up a flag pole. When the invitation was closed, they hoisted a red flag. Feeling neighborly, go green. Seeking solitude, red is the color of the day.

My BIGGEST concern/fear with an open invitation is of course liability. This alone may swing your decision but whatever you decide, good luck with your pond and hopefully you'll become a frequent contributor here.

Carlyle,

At least they asked. It's the people that dont ask that do the most damage, IMO. If they were honest enough to ask, perhpas they will be honest enough to respect your answer. Good luck, being a "good neighbor" is a difficult thing to do...

Gator

I actually think things will work out for the most part. Unfortunately, I'm fairly certain the owner of the "original house" bought his house primarily for the pond. I asked him what he was going to do with his 5 acres and he said nothing. He then proceeds to tell me his plans about building a deck and watching the pond. That is unfortunate for him. He has only lived there for 3 weeks but our property has been in contract for 3 months and was delayed because it took forever to put together a land/construction package. Our intention has always been to cut off our view of the back of his house. We live in Ohio and we made several compromises in purchasing the land. We had ruled out several properties because of having to look at the back of houses (flag-like lots) and distance from our employment in Columbus. But after seeing the property, we decided that it was worth the 45-50 minute commute and it was always out intention to put up shrubery to block our views of other houses. In fact we had already researched the type of shrubs, bougt a subcompact tractor with a backhoe to save my aching fifty year old back, and drawn a plan of our landscaping before this guy had even seen his property. HE SHOULN'T HAVE BOUGHT HIS PROPERTY BASED ON MY POND. He may have to dig his own pond or something.

He made the comment once that he and his wife were laughing at our futility in chasing geese away. Later, he offered to get rid of two old boats we inherited from a previous owner because they were a little bit of an eye sore. He also made the comment that "we" could put grass carp in the pond and split the cost. We've had the property all of 10 days. I don't relish confrontation but neither does it bother me. He hasn't got the message so I'm going to have to tell him that the pond with the fish and the view are not his concern.

I'm not as much worried about other neighbors. I can choose my work hours and I work very odd hours. Also you have to walk up a hill about 15 feet up from the road to even see the pond or to see if we're home so one would be taking a chance of poaching unless they come through the "original house" guy's driveway. I also look alot meaner than I am.


The neighbors that I've met seem like nice enough people and even my front yard neighbor is probably alright. They probably are just going to have to get used to the fact that we're more private than maybe they want us to be.

...as Carlyle plans landscaping:
so, if this is any help: Mail order trees thread
and more shrub/tree stuff