Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations "My" Pond

Check out this post...

http://www.texasfishingforum.com/.ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=31;t=000183

If only one could get rid of the other kind of Pond Scum by stocking Tilapia.

I placed some plastic no trespassing signs on my pond last year and had people complaining that they were no longer getting to fish on it. I didn't know they were fishing on it to begin with. The plastic signs I put up from Home Depot have broken or fallen down. Where did you get your signs?

Meadowlark,

I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I read that post. Was that guy serious? Seems like he just felt like he could go anywhere. Incredible audacity.

James, around here we either make signs (old field disks work well or buy the signs from Atwoods, Farm & Fleet, Tractor Supply Company (TSC) or other such farm supply store. There are some made of aluminum or tin that are a little more sturdy than the plastic. Also, sometimes you can find a thicker plastic or even a backing to add to the sign to help make it more stiff.

Yes, Bruce, that is what we are up against. That post was probably mild compared to what most of those like that guy really think...it is their "right" to catch any fish in the water or kill any game in the fields.

I got my signs at..."Home Depot" also. Hope they hold up.

My "No Trespassing" signs I spray painted with a stencil on short left-over pieces of aluminum and vinyl siding. They have held up well for about 12 years now.

I looked at some of the other post on that site and they were discussing using Terraserver to "find ponds" bunch of great fishermen! So far have never had anyone tresspass at my pond but being 100 ft from the house might help.

Bob

MLark, the guy says he is going fishing to catch something for dinner and then later says he has never kept any of the fish. Sure!

Certainly is a back-tracker, isn't he (or she!) Some people don't realize that almost all land belongs to someone and is not for public use. Its the old "If is isn't specifically forbidden, its allowed" theory, otherwise known as "easier to ask forgiveness than permission." My bigger threat around here is hunting, since I am planting about 45 acres of prime food plots and other cover for deer, quail, and pheasant. If I ever get all my trees to grow, I might even have turkeys one day. This year I'm planting sorghum (5-7 feet tall) and cane (6-9 feet) as a visual screen around my place, to discourage any trespassing, as well as liberal use of signs.

A friend of mine (who happens to be editor of a major national outdoor publication) once theorized to me that a "no tresspass" sign that was sloppily hand painted in red with a couple of letters backwards was more intimidating to potential poachers than a store bought sign. Quite humorous...but with an element of truth.

I like the sloppily written sign idea, but on the back have a very neat zero target from a .30-06! Perhaps even with range markers nearby.

Great sign ideas!

Dave, I also picked up on that "catch and release" travesty and called the bum on it...in a polite way.

He was so smart, he didn't even realize that he had been insulted! What a waste!

Go to a sign shop and have them make you a couple of signs.
WARNING. NO TRESPASSING.
POLICE DOG TRAINING AREA.

I get my signs here:
http://www.vosssigns.com/

They have a variety of messages, materials & different thickness signs.

Though I like the "no tresspass" sign idea. Maybe a bulls-eye at the bottom with real bullet holes in it too!

I'm in the military and put in 3.5 acre pond on my farm 250 miles from where I am currently stationed. It is stocked with bass, bream, and bluegill. I've often wondered what I would do to keep the trespassers away. This is the idea I came up with:

Warning! Mercury contamination. Do not touch or eat fish from this site.

I got the idea from a guy who puts up signs to deter deer dog runners that say "Warning! Coyote bait out."

The interesting thing about that guys posting is that you can tell he is educated.

It is part of a bigger issue property owners face. My understanding is that in much of Europe, property owners can not prohibit people from hiking and etc. across their property. As the number/percentage of property owners in the U.S. lessens, property owners' rights might also lessen even below the sorry state they are in today. Laws are made by politicians. Politicians cater to the general populace and tolarge campaign contributors. Property owners as historically represented by farmers/ranchers have less and less political influence.

Nick,

I really liked your post...the view that fishing a pond illegally without taking out fish can be equally harmful isn't well understood or adopted by many poachers. Excellent point.

Meadow,
I just wonder if HE understood!

I once saw a sign that really got me thinking , the sign read " TRESPASSERS WILL BE EATEN !! Needless to say I didn't go there !! If I remember right I think a couple letters were backwards .lol

This topic is one I love to talk about as well. In fact, I posted years ago a story about an experience I had with poachers (down in Mississippi) and the editors of Pond Boss picked it up and put in the magazine. I’m published….so to speak.

I am from Natchez Mississippi which is in the southwest part of the state on the river about 90 miles north of Baton Rouge La. However, for the last 6 years I have been living in Maine.

Mainers have very different ideas about property rights than do Southerners. First, by State law, any body of water that is naturally occurring and greater than 10 acres on your property must be given full public access. Second, if you build a man-made pond greater than 3 acres, it too must be given full public access.

So, you pay for the property, pay the property taxes (which are so high here it will make you think about gargling Drano) and anybody can use it by law if it falls in the above described categories.

On top of that, if you wanted to create a nice fishing lake for bass you can’t because nobody sells bass, bluegills, etc., and it’s illegal to bring in bass or bluegills into the state. The wildlife guys say there are no documented bluegills in Maine? But, you can buy trout. So, if you want to stock your pond you must do it by taking bass from public waters and can only be in possession of the legal bag limit which is one bass per person until 6/30 and 3 per for the balance of the season. In addition, you have to apply for permission from the state boys to do this fish transfer from one location to your pond (which is easy but gives me a rash to have to do). They are so keyed up on this fish transfer thing that it is a $10,000 fine to dump your live minnows from the bait shop in a lake at the end of the day.

AND, posted signs are not really a deterrent up here. “What is mine is mine and what is yours is mine” attitude.

Just some thoughts.

What about a few signs that read:

Caution - Water not suitable for drinking, swimming, or fishing.

Caution - Chemicals added on June, 05. No fishing, swimming, irrigation, or drinking.

Caution - Smile your on candid camera.

Just to make sure everyone knows I mean no trespassing, I fastened an aluminum sign to a piece of sheet metal and had someone weld the metal to the gate. Now there is no excuse for them to not know.

From the Snake Control thread:

"Entering water moccasin breeding program area. Please register emergency medical information and next of kin at guard house before entering." (Empty toll booth shack with notebook stands at gate.)