Lake Shore Issue

[Guest]

I have an issue with the buoys and markers that are put up by lake shore owners.
I was fishing bass on a metro lake at around 7:00 in the morning. I crept along the shoreline working the docks. I fould myself constantly dodging buoys, tramps, and whatever else there is foating out there. I really don't mind those things because they provide more structure for the fish. The thing that I do mind is that the property owners put up buoys that are marked "swimming area only." I understand that everyone swimming in the water needs to be safe, but at 7:00 in the morning I was yelled at by an angry property owner because I was inside the buoy. There were no children swimming. I checked the area, and it was early in the morning. How can a property owner own the lake?
On this particular lake, those buoys went out nearly 100 yards, and were placed in a square so no fisherman could enter that entire area. Virtually the entire shore that I like to fish is off-limits to fishermen! I an extremely frusterated with this issue!
Does anyone know the regulations concerning this?
How can property owners own the water and prohibit fishermen from entering?
Has anyone else confronted this?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!

[Glenn_S]

From the MN Boating and Water Regulations:

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TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, DOCKS AND BUOYS
Temporary docks extending from shore generally require no permit. There is no state limit on length, unless the dock interferes with navigation. (Note: There may be local restrictions as to dock length or construction.) Structures such as swimming rafts, boat lifts, buoys, slalom courses, ski jumps, etc., ==>>which do not extend from shore<<== cannot be placed in the
water between sunset and sunrise without first obtaining a permit from the county sheriff. All structures placed under a permit must have the permit number painted on them. In addition, the structure or buoy must either have a light visible in all directions or be reflectorized so as to reflect light from all directions.
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So there ya go. If they pitch a fit, have this printed out, and keep it in your boat. Tell them to call the sheriff. When he gets there, tell him that those bouys were in the water overnight, and you would like the homeowner to produce his permit. Also ask to see the permit attached to the bouys.

NOW, on the other hand, if the owner has a LEGALLY mark swimming area, you are then in violation:

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It is illegal to operate a watercraft within an area ==>>legally<<== marked off or set aside as a swimming area, or within 150 feet of a diver’s warning flag.
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Glenn