Has This Ever Happened To Anyone Else?

[SleePac]

I was told to get off a private lake this afternoon by an association member. Once I reached my car, the sheriff's department was there. I can only assume that they were there to maintain order should it be needed. I was respectful and quickly left.

Anyone else ever have this happen? I'm just curious.

[Jacob Huffman]

Were you supposed to be there? If it was private and you were tresspassing the police could have been there to issue you a ticket for tresspass,not to keep order.

[Duck-Hunter]

Haven't Had it happen. But if it is a private lake and you are not a association member/resident on the lake you are trespassing. I think its a little far for them to call the police that quickly.

[Cpt.Chaos]

It hasn't happened to me, but I do know people who have recieved trespassing tickets before. It's the law, that what LEO's are here for, to enforce it. Consider yourself lucky you didn't get a tciket and stay out of private property.

[SleePac]

I was wrong for being where I was. I'm not denying this. Those folks pay lots of money in association fees for their lake and I was there fishing it (catching and releasing) for free.

I was just curious to find out if there are others who've had similar experiences.

[benster]

Haven't Had it happen. But if it is a private lake and you are not a association member/resident on the lake you are trespassing. I think its a little far for them to call the police that quickly.

I'm sure you could be a guest of someone on the lake? Why not get permission from someone on the lake just like hunters do for private land?

[ericjaenicke]

i fish on a private lake and i am not a resident. but i do know someone who has a place on the lake. have never had a problem with others who live on the lake. i think most people would kindly ask you to please leave the lake but i am sure there are those few that wouldnt be so nice about it.

[Blueump]

I was just curious to find out if there are others who've had similar experiences.

Yes, I've been the one who called the cops. Usually I confront the trespassers, but sometimes, especially on weekends when you end up kicking off 4-5 different groups in an afternoon, even you get tired of it!

Private lakes are just that...private. You have to trespass to get get on the lake and you are stealing from the people who have paid money to maintain the lake.

There are plenty of public lakes you can fish on...Use those.

I don't feel sorry for you one bit...and think you should have been ticketed!

[SleePac]

This is absolutely amazing. I'm not looking for any sympathy. Admittedly, I was where I didn't have authorization to be. Didn't quite realize this would turn into a big pile on. I wasn't venting....I wasn't saying the situation sucked....I wasn't complaining about the ordeal....I was merely trying to find out how often this actually happens to people. I've since apologized to the Association and have received their subsequent forgiveness. I'll not be going back without the proper authorization. It's as simple as that.

I had no idea folks would so quickly throw me in front of the firing line.

[fishenrg]

While its never happened to me because there are plenty of public lakes in my area, I know it does happen.

I think its unfortunate.

Its unfortunate that zoning and land use laws have created the situation where lakes are private. People with no intention to ever fish the lake can get pretty possessive of it. Its one thing if the lake were created as part of the development, but it burns me if poor planning and regulations create a situation where the average guy can no longer access a lake that has been there since the glaciers retreated.

If I lived on a "private" lake I would have no problem giving people permission to use it as long as they were respectful and didn't leave the messes that are all to common. To me, the issue is similar to those "Save Our Shoreline" people. You know the people, "we're rich enough to own some Great Lakes shoreline property and we don't want *anyone* to enjoy it". And oh yeah, we also want to be able to groom it how we want, even if it means degrading the natural ecosystem.

But its how it is and we have to live with it, unless we want to put in the time and energy to change it. In the meantime, respect the rules and go somewhere else.

[johnobub]

Yes but it would be in the wrong thread to comment on it. (I wasn't ice fishing.)

[SleePac]

johnobub,

Thanks for the response. That's kinda what I'm looking for. Open water vs. Ice....which sees more occurrences.

[dobes]

How dare anyone go onto a frozen lake, ruin it by drilling holes and mind their own buisness just trying to ice fish . I understand some lakes are private , but how is anyone hurting anything by sitting on a bucket in the middle of a lake trying to catch some fish? Can some one tell me what is the big deal ? Are their people that are really that uptight that they have to watch out their window for people who just want to enjoy their day ice fishin ? I dont understand it and I feel some folks just need to lighten up . What , are folks going to ruin your lake by walkin on it . Give me a break !!!!!!!

[Blueump]

I understand some lakes are private , but how is anyone hurting anything by sitting on a bucket in the middle of a lake trying to catch some fish? Can some one tell me what is the big deal ? Are their people that are really that uptight that they have to watch out their window for people who just want to enjoy their day ice fishin ? I dont understand it and I feel some folks just need to lighten up . What , are folks going to ruin your lake by walkin on it . Give me a break !!!!!!!

Do you feel the same about your couch and TV set? Would you mind if I just stroll into your shower and use that as well? How bout if I use your car when its parked in your garage? You're right...what's the big deal???

Private property is private!

[USMarine1171]

Some private lakes are stocked and those private stockings are funded by the residents. In that case, I would very pissed if some guy trespassed and started, in effect, stealing fish from the lake I payed to stock. Some people buy a house on a private lake for just that...privacy.

I agree that it doesn't hurt much for a guy to drill holes, get a thrill of catching some fish and releasing them. But how often does that happen?:16suspect

If anything, someone who trespasses already has no respect for the privacy of the lake and probably no respect for the quality of the fishery. I doubt many trespassers are like SleePac and C&R.

[badbrad]

Do you feel the same about your couch and TV set? Would you mind if I just stroll into your shower and use that as well? How bout if I use your car when its parked in your garage? You're right...what's the big deal???

Private property is private!

God made lakes for men to fish on not own privately!

[ted stehney]

I would fish private lakes in West Bloomfield when I was a kid. Walnut Lake in particular was a good one to get chased off from. I had a buddy that had association access and would fish with him. If he was not along we would get rudly tossed. No big deal to us. My understanding is the property is private, not the water. So you would park illeagally and trespass for access but once on the ice you are not trespasing. I may be wrong on that but that is how it was explained to me by oakland Counties finest many years back. As for using your car and shower?? That's a stretch of a comparison, but if I am in the area I may drop in for a shower and shave. LOL.

[sea nympho]

I had no idea folks would so quickly throw me in front of the firing line.

:lol: I knew it when I saw the thread title!

...but how is anyone hurting anything by sitting on a bucket in the middle of a lake trying to catch some fish? ..!

Because the person sitting on the bucket trespassd to get there, and many private lake associations pay to stock the fish he's catching.

Its unfortunate that zoning and land use laws have created the situation where lakes are private.

:yeahthat:

God made lakes for men to fish on not own privately!

I agree, but money-grubbing men came along and made it this way, and you can get arrested for it.

[casscityalum]

johnobub,

Thanks for the response. That's kinda what I'm looking for. Open water vs. Ice....which sees more occurrences.


How did you get on to the lake? Did you have to park and walk across anyones land? Just curious as to how you accessed the lake cause that might have led to part of the problem.

Don't want to fire at you, but just wanted to understand what made you go on the lake? If you did have to cross private property without permission then you were in the wrong. And no one will see it otherwhys. If you parked at the road along the lake and stepped on Id feel different.....

[RC2]

NO,but

my avatar, she was fishing a private lake and she didn't have permission. OH NO...:D


OK, I promise, she'll call grandma in Florida next time so that she has permission, so she doesn't have to deal with an assoc. "member" :rant:, that would rather spend their weekend chasing people off of "their lake", then fishing it.

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy-

Everybody take a deep breath.......

....hold it.....

...now let it go......

:dizzy:

[dobes]

How can you be so petty as to compare using my couch or shower to being on a lake fishing ? Give me a break here . Lakes were put on this earth to enjoy , not to own . What, are a couple fisherman going to catch all the fish in the whole lake ? Ok , if you have to trespass on others property to get on the lake than it is not right . But I know some private lakes have open lots or wooded areas to enter on . SO if you can manage to get on a lake w/outtrespassing than it shouldnt be a problem if someone wants to drill a few holes and see what they can pull out . Geez , stuck up people suck!!!

[Blueump]

How can you be so petty as to compare using my couch or shower to being on a lake fishing ? Give me a break here . Lakes were put on this earth to enjoy , not to own.

Many lakes that are privately owners were built by the landowner. Just because there is a large body of water does not mean that it open access to anyone. Somebody's hard earned money went in to creating that lake.

Ok , if you have to trespass on others property to get on the lake than it is not right . But I know some private lakes have open lots or wooded areas to enter on . SO if you can manage to get on a lake w/outtrespassing than it shouldnt be a problem if someone wants to drill a few holes and see what they can pull out . Geez , stuck up people suck!!!

You know of private lakes with public access???? I'd like you to name just one.

"Open lots" or wooded lots are still owned by someone. Those lots are not there for free open-access to the public. The purpose and the draw of a private lake is just that...to keep the public OUT!

Do you use the same logic when deer hunting? "Woods were put on the earth to enjoy" "If there are open wooded areas, the public has the right!" "What's the problem if I just want to sit by a tree to see what I can shoot?"

[casscityalum]

You know of private lakes with public access???? I'd like you to name just one.

"Open lots" or wooded lots are still owned by someone. Those lots are not there for free open-access to the public. The purpose and the draw of a private lake is just that...to keep the public OUT!


Won't give the name out, but I know of a lake in Tuscola county that is private with no public boat launch. There is a county drain that has been used for years for access. Its just cat tails and swamp and you walk forever but no Owners have claimed owner ship, and since that trail has been used for years on the lake have tried for years the state has left it open for people to walk to the lake since no one has claimed ownership of this stretch. Sorta like your neighbor can fence your land if you dont know where your property lines are and after so many years it becomes theirs. Sorta stupid but happens....

Also there are lakes with a defined navigable stream or river runs into the lake. I have used this as a waterway to walk onto or canoe to ice fish or open water, from the county road or park next to the Private lake....Have been approached and have not been removed yet. I also did some research on the lake and found out where the lines are and what exactly I can do on the lake. No hunting rights, but fishing is ok. It is a private lake:D

[sarge300]

I would be curious to see the land contract these people that have property on private lakes just to see what the wording is. Doesnt their property line extend out on the lake or do they all own the lake? Oh and if the DNR woluld start stocking the public lakes again the fisherman would not have to find private lakes hehe

[cadillacjethro]

I personally have no problem with a private lake if it is truly private. Just don't expect county, state, or federal dollars for fish stocking, weed control, or dam maintenance. If you own it you pay for it. All of it.

[dobes]

I can name a couple private lakes that have access via a creek and one that buts up to a road . I wont name them for obvious reasons , but I can get on them . And I am not trespassing while gettin on either and one of the lakes is very private with a home on every area of the lake except for where the road buts up and its a 25' city owned stretch . It is a west side lake that is prime for gills . One time I had a owner come ask me for some permit or something , I politly told him I didnt have one and he tried screaming at me . After giving him a piece of my mind , he scampered off with his tail in between his legs and I never saw him again . Most of these lakes they try to scare you off of but as long as you dont trespass on property to enter it you have every right to be there. And there is usually always a little aera somewhere to get on .

[benster]

Hay, can I fly a float plane onto a private lake and fish if I never touch the shore?

[Jacob Huffman]

How dare anyone go onto a frozen lake, ruin it by drilling holes and mind their own buisness just trying to ice fish . I understand some lakes are private , but how is anyone hurting anything by sitting on a bucket in the middle of a lake trying to catch some fish? Can some one tell me what is the big deal ? Are their people that are really that uptight that they have to watch out their window for people who just want to enjoy their day ice fishin ? I dont understand it and I feel some folks just need to lighten up . What , are folks going to ruin your lake by walkin on it . Give me a break !!!!!!!

I'm pretty sure what he mean's is simple private is private..no if ands or buts about it.Sure one guy sitting on a bucket might not be hurting much but...When he tells a couple of buddies and they tell a couple of buddies thats when things get out of control...one guy not bad 10 guy's what a mess...And I know from personal experience from a spot my brother and I used to fish that was not private but only accessable from a river..unless...you got permission from a land owner to park at their house and walk through their yard...What happens when one guy tells a buddie and they tell a couple of buddies...They were dirt bag's plain and simple...pi$$ing on the ice in front of home owners leaving trash on the ice..cig. butts,beer cans,empty bait containers...and so on...It sucks we used to get limit's of nice gills out of there too..

[SleePac]

Ya know.....I almost feel as dirty and sleazy as the equipment thieves out there......some might argue that I'm no different than the guy that smashes out a truck window and takes the sweet Shimano rod / reel combo.

I really regret posting the initial question. Moreover, I regret trespassing and stealing from the association members.

I have enjoyed, moderately, the controversy this has sparked.

I guess I'm too much of a redneck when it comes to the outdoors....if I have something that the next fella could use or benefit from....I'll let you use it. In fact, I'd give the shirt off my back to just about any sportsman. Pretty naive, eh? I know....good guys always finish last. I guess I don't mind too much where I finish just so long as everyone's had a good time.

Funny thing about the trip the other day.....not 30 minutes before I got the boot, I volunteered to cut with my power auger about 5 or 6 holes for a group of locals that lived on the lake. Went back to my quiet area about 40 yards away and they all watched as I was escorted off the lake without so much as saying....'hey, we vouge for the guy'.

You win some.....you loose some!

[William H Bonney]

,,,,. Most of these lakes they try to scare you off of but as long as you dont trespass on property to enter it you have every right to be there. And there is usually always a little aera somewhere to get on .

Those "little area's" are usually "easements" for the city. I have a friend that lives on a lake in the same area and his neighbor has one of those "easements" on his property. That's where the snowmobilers access the lake. My buddy asked his neighbor why he lets all those yahoo's pile through his yard on sleds at all hours of the night/morning. His neighbor told him, that part of his yard is an easement for the city and that there was nothing he could do. This lake is also a "public lake" though,,, but has houses pretty much all the way around it.

Hey Sleepac,,, where did you get on the lake?? The boatlaunch,, or that bridge area. The "folks" I talked to,, were amazed that someone called on you.

[USMarine1171]

I can name a couple private lakes that have access via a creek and one that buts up to a road . I wont name them for obvious reasons, but I can get on them...and there is usually always a little area somewhere to get on.

A good reason to never dime out the name of a private lake. Next thing you know all the jokers come out of the woodwork looking for a "little area" to get on.

[Burksee]

Sleepac, Not bashing you but what you did was trespass, plain and simple. If you got out of there with nothing more than "the look" from the sheriff consider yourself lucky. I know of some associations that won't even allow "guests" unless its a blood relative of a member/owner or unless a member is present. On those lakes your butt would have hauled off to the pokey! :lol: Can't say I blame these people for getting upset, why should they have to deal with trespassers any differently than land owners? They work hard for their money, they choose for what ever the reason to spend a little more to live on a private lake.

Those of you that question the owners of private lakes are out in left field, I can't believe you'd even think like that let alone put your thoughts in writing. Reminds me of something I read about happening in Russia quite a while back. :yikes: While your at it why don't you and your comrades go after all the people that own large chunks of prime hunting property too! Why should they be allowed to own something that you can't use either? ;)

[dobes]

Hey , good point ................ NOT . Catching a fish out of a little hole in the ice is not the same as sneakin around someones property with a gun trying to shoot a deer . And as for not bashing or ranting , what do you think your whole post is about? Maybe you should keep your 2 cents to yourself because it makes no sense .

[Ara]

It all comes down to access, how did Andy get to water? Was the proper signage posted? If not than shame on the land owners! If you go out and politely ask someone to leave and they refuse to then call the cops, but people who just call the cops on someone are simply bitter and have nothing better to do. There has to be many possible senarios on how someone could end up fishing on private property, until you know the whole story people should not be so quick to judge.

[walleyechaser]

Hey , good point ................ NOT . Catching a fish out of a little hole in the ice is not the same as sneakin around someones property with a gun trying to shoot a deer . And as for not bashing or ranting , what do you think your whole post is about? Maybe you should keep your 2 cents to yourself because it makes no sense .

Sorry but your logic (?) is very wrong ! Catching fish out of a little hole in the ice is the same as shooting a little hole in a deer where tresspassing is involved. In either case,you're POACHING !
Just because someone is able to access a private lake ( through private property) doesn't make it legal. Take a few minutes to get permission and everything will be fine.
If you have access to a private lake keep it to yourself and enjoy it while it lasts. All to often a few guys have had access through associaion right of ways or private property only to be cut off completly when a few stupid slobs assume that its ok to fish because others are doing it.One thing leads to another and the slobs begin their slobery (p1$$*&% on the ice,leaving trash,etc.,) and its only a matter of time before owners get tired of it and shut evryone off.
Think it doesn't happen, WRONG ! I've seen it happen on 2 different lakes and I'm sure that others have as well !:rant:

[dobes]

To be honest with you , I could care less what you say , think ,or what you have saw . Your opinion is obsolete here because the point your trying to make was not well thought out , its all jibber jabber and makes as much sense as the guy before you . Come on , Poaching ? I dont think you know what poaching is .Think before you post and try to at least make a point out of what you are trying to say !!!

[sea nympho]

Those of you that question the owners of private lakes are out in left field, I can't believe you'd even think like that let alone put your thoughts in writing. Reminds me of something I read about happening in Russia quite a while back. :yikes: While your at it why don't you and your comrades go after all the people that own large chunks of prime hunting property too! Why should they be allowed to own something that you can't use either? ;)

I think the point was that it's very sad & wrong:mad: SO many (just about all) of the state's lakes are completely lined with houses, and worse, many are completely private. It's not much different than the lack of huntable state land in the south of this state.

This is not a communist principle:dizzy:. Maybe all the rich should buy up all the waterways and hunting land, so the poor can rent use from them and make them richer. By your standard Teddy Roosevelt was a commie!

BTW, I have(my family, to be exact ;) ) a cottage on a private lake!:yikes: It fishes well, too:lol:. And if anyone blatantly trespasses to get on it, I"ll call the cops on 'em!:smile-mad. (& say "you're trespassing")

I don't think anyone here has advocated trespassing to get on private water, I certainly haven't. SleePac's very lucky. Things are the way they are, we can't turn back the clock and set things right. But that doesn't mean we can't admit that the system is messed up, due to the greed of rich men in the first place.

OMT, not everyone who has a lot of money worked hard for it, many have rich daddy's and grandaddy's, silver spoons & trust funds, inheritances & bequeathments. So I think you including that point is irrelavent.

[sea nympho]

To be honest with you , I could care less what you say , think ,or what you have saw . Your opinion is obsolete here because the point your trying to make was not well thought out , its all jibber jabber and makes as much sense as the guy before you . Come on , Poaching ? I dont think you know what poaching is .Think before you post and try to at least make a point out of what you are trying to say !!!

Posts and responses like this are pointless.
You're only antagonizing and turning the discussion into an arguement.:dizzy:
Everyone already knew you could care less what the other guy thinks, that's fine.

You should never tell someone "think before you post", lest YOU be guilty of the same crime!;)

[Burksee]

Hey , good point ................ NOT . Catching a fish out of a little hole in the ice is not the same as sneakin around someones property with a gun trying to shoot a deer . And as for not bashing or ranting , what do you think your whole post is about? Maybe you should keep your 2 cents to yourself because it makes no sense .LOL, At least my $.02 makes sense......... at least more so than yours. As already mentioned your commons are pretty much useless as its very much apparent you really dont have a clue what this is really all about. People like you talk to hear yourself talk. :rolleyes:

SN, I never meant to confuse anyone, I never said it was the rich that were entitled to the all the lakes, I said that the people that chose to spend their hard earned money to live on a private lake should have all the rights entitled with it. For what ever reason you dont have a choice of where you want to live does not entitle you to ridicule those who do or can.

I don't live on a private lake, so it pretty simple in my mind if I want to go fishing I'll reseach out a lake that allows me legal access and go! :)

[icefishermanmark]

What's all this talk about a private lake with public access? That's NOT a private lake.... I've already talked to Sleepac via PM about this on another site, so this isn't an attack on him. However, as a resident of an association with a private lake its burns my @$$ to see guys trespass everyday to do a little fishing. Signs are well posted at the private boat launch facilities they use so unless these idiots can't read then they're in the wrong and I guess even ignorance is no excuse to the law so they're wrong no matter what. As was said before, no one who knowingly trespasses has respect for a lake because they just violated rule number 1. Some of you have said that if you had property on a private lake then you would give others permission to fish on it. Somehow I think this may not be true. If you've seen the blatant disrespect that many people show to these lakes then you would surely think again. I've given permission to several friends to fish on our lake because I know they're respectful sportsman who will follow the laws and leave with what they brought. There are some guys who willingly trespass that I would stand up for because they have been so good to me. But, the majority of these trespassers are white trash, who are out there to get drunk and litter the ice. They give us all a bad name. Stay off of a lake if you don't have access to it. Bottom line.

[laker24]

big portage lake has a public access but the lake emptys into a river so it is just open water during the winter so the access is closed. the only way to get on the lake during the winter is to know some one that lives on the lake. i found this out this last weekend when we made a trip from lansing to big portage lake in Washtenaw county. i dont know if this is considered private or not but it seemed like it was. this lake was supposed to be really good for walleye

[icefishermanmark]

big portage lake has a public access but the lake emptys into a river so it is just open water during the winter so the access is closed. the only way to get on the lake during the winter is to know some one that lives on the lake. i found this out this last weekend when we made a trip from lansing to big portage lake in Washtenaw county. i dont know if this is considered private or not but it seemed like it was. this lake was supposed to be really good for walleye

It's not private but it sure does suck for ice fishermen. Blame the state for that.

[sea nympho]

SN..the people that chose to spend their hard earned money to live on a private lake should have all the rights entitled with it... :)

I couldn't agree more!!!;)

...especially since I'm putting in a bid on waterfront property TOMORROW!!!

:lol::lol::lol:

LMAO!!!

[Boardman Brookies]

This one is getting ugly very fast....how long before it is closed??

[Burksee]

I couldn't agree more!!!;)

...especially since I'm putting in a bid on waterfront property TOMORROW!!!

:lol::lol::lol:

LMAO!!!Congrats, Good Luck and when can we all come over to go fishing? :lol: :yikes:

[jstfish48162]

Congrats, Good Luck and when can we all come over to go fishing? :lol: :yikes:

i'll bring the empty beer cans and bait containers....:lol::lol::lol:

[icefishermanmark]

i'll bring the empty beer cans and bait containers....:lol::lol::lol:

Don't forget the cigarette butts

[sea nympho]

The new place will soon look like public land in Canada! :lol::yikes::evilsmile

Oh well, it's riverfront property, so it will "clean itself" every spring, right?

[y2ba]

\Hey , good point ................ NOT . Catching a fish out of a little hole in the ice is not the same as sneakin around someones property with a gun trying to shoot a deer . And as for not bashing or ranting , what do you think your whole post is about? Maybe you should keep your 2 cents to yourself because it makes no sense .


:dizzy::dizzy::dizzy:Your right...its kinda like sneaking around SOMEONES PRIVATE PROPERTY with a fishing pole!!!!!!! Wanting to Give in to the temptation is one thing,heck ive thought about it........coming here saying its ok is another. Stay off other peoples property plain and simple.

[dobes]

Awww, anyone want some cheese with their wine . By the way , what lake are you lookin to buy a place on ? I would like to know so I could possibly sneak on it to do some ice fishin , or should I say poaching .

[sea nympho]

Awww, anyone want some cheese with their wine . By the way , what lake are you lookin to buy a place on ? I would like to know so I could possibly sneak on it to do some ice fishin , or should I say poaching .

It's a fast-moving river, and it's skimmed over rihgt now, so come on over & give your trespass icefishing a try!:lol::evilsmile

[dobes]

Good one , touche .