dock fishing

[steiger]

Was out pitching docks yesterday at a tournament got hung up on a bolt that was sticking out so I eased up in there to get it off staying in my boat of course. When I got up to it there was a guy that gave me the biggest butt chewing I have ever seen for fishing by his dock. Said to go find a new fing lake and that were a bunch of u know what's that wreck the lakes for them. Told the guy hey sorry I didn't mean to get snagged up wind just blew my line over. Well in the mean time trying not to get any closer I tried pulling it out well the line broke. He then tried to tell me I was going to swim down and find it because he didn't want that on the bottom of HIS lake. I kinda said ya sure buddy u bet. Anyone else ever run into stuff like this?

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Ive ran into it before. You just need to stay calm, be rational, apologize, move on. The more they keep running their mouth the more I'll chat with them. Basically let them know how ridiculous they are making them themselves sound. I just make sure they know they dont own the lake and if they have the right to put a structure up in public water I have the right to fish around it. I would prefer no to get stuck but accidents happen and that I will not damage their property unwrapping my line from a post or whatever.

Often times I prefer to pass by docks that have people on them or in their yards just to avoid these situations.

[MuskieFever]

Let me guess, he owns a jetski and ski natique as well? Couldn't resist. People always give the stink eye when you fish under their dock. I try to avoid docks when people are on them or watching from home. I actually had one guy believe it or not tell me to go on his dock if I ever snag up. He said he didn't mind and would rather have us get it than him step on it. Really nice guy.

[Juan Grande]

I was out fishing with the family on Memorial weekend and we pulled in fairly close to shore and anchored. There was a group of people on their deck and they started yelling "Are you seriously parking there?" and other stuff. We were probably 30 feet off the end of their dock and just bobber fishing. I pulled up anchor and left as to avoid a confrontation with my kids in the boat. Seriously though, it was a nice evening and literally every house on the lake had someone on the dock or on the patio/deck so there were very few spots I could anchor and not aggravate a lake shore owner.

[Presco]

I'm not 100% sure what the rule is in Minnesota, but I thought I heard that they don't own the docks either. They certainly don't own the lake, your land stops at the water, and owning the property next to the water gives you the right to put a dock there. You have as much right to be on their dock as they do. Not sure I'd say this to a guy that had obviously lost his cool, but I'm pretty sure that's the rule.

I've been yelled at a few times over the years, but now I just avoid any docks with people on or near them.

[Craigums]

Hmm, I never hesitate to get on someones dock to untangle my line. I try to be quick about it but I figure they would rather have me do than than leave a tangle of line and hooks on their dock. I haven't been yelled at yet but I too will avoid docks if someone is on it.

[11fish1]

I don't see the point of fishing docks. I see it all the time at my cabin and have never seen anyone catch a bass bigger than a pound around the docks. The weed flats are way more productive.

On a side note, I put my dock in the first weekend of May this year, that afternoon there was already a guy flipping a plastic worm under it. I don't understand some people...

[steiger]

Ya I normally don't fish docks when they are on them or watching. Just didn't happen to see this guy hiding on his deck house was up from the lake about 100 feet. Lol had two skis two pontoons and a tige. Lots of dock. I have had a guy to tell me just to jump out and grab it to and most people always are friendly.

[steiger]

Some lakes are different of course but some of the ones I fish I have caught a lot of big bass under docks.and on that I don't fish every dock because some docks just don't hold bass like others do. If its sunny out I like to fish the deep docks

[bassfshin24]

I don't see the point of fishing docks. I see it all the time at my cabin and have never seen anyone catch a bass bigger than a pound around the docks. The weed flats are way more productive.

You must not fish docks very often. Some of the biggest fish I catch every year are pulled out from docks. Especially in the fall.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I'm not 100% sure what the rule is in Minnesota, but I thought I heard that they don't own the docks either. They certainly don't own the lake, your land stops at the water, and owning the property next to the water gives you the right to put a dock there. You have as much right to be on their dock as they do. Not sure I'd say this to a guy that had obviously lost his cool, but I'm pretty sure that's the rule.

They certainly own the docks, they don't own the water under it like some seem to believe. I dont think you have the same rights to their docks. Thats like saying you have as much right to climb in my boat when on the water as I do.

I think this topic comes down to being respectful but certainly dont let some lakeshore owner get on his high horse and push you around if what your doing, fishing docks, is perfectly legal. If they start harassing you or interfering with your fishing let them know that what you are doing is perfectly legal and what they are doing is illegal and that you know where they live.

[nofishfisherman]

They certainly own the docks, they don't own the water under it like some seem to believe. I dont think you have the same rights to their docks. Thats like saying you have as much right to climb in my boat when on the water as I do.

I think this topic comes down to is be respectful but certainly dont let some lakeshore owner get on his high horse and push you around if what your doing, fishing docks, is perfectly legal. If they start harassing you or interfering with your fishing let them know that what you are doing is perfectly legal and what they are doing is illegal and that you know where they live.

I'm not 100% certain of the law but I have also heard that you technically have the right to go on the dock if its on public water. Similar to the tree stand rules. If a tree stand is left on public land its fair game for all to use and the owner of the tree stand does not have the legal right to kick someone out of it. I could be wrong but thats how I've heard it explained in the past.

Now I would never go on someone's dock unless given permission but I would motor up close to retrieve my lure if need be.

[Superduty]

Maybe it's time for the DNR to do a little educating of the lake shore owners. Other states require docks to be licensed/registered. A short online exam that requires a potential dock owner to demonstrate a basic understanding of lake shore property owners rights and others rights to hunt and fish could eliminate the "ignorance" factor. This could help with illegal shoreline/wetland alterations as well. It would also generate revenue that could be used for a variety of lake protection or enhancement.

[RumRiverRat]

I don't see the point of fishing docks. I see it all the time at my cabin and have never seen anyone catch a bass bigger than a pound around the docks. The weed flats are way more productive.

On a side note, I put my dock in the first weekend of May this year, that afternoon there was already a guy flipping a plastic worm under it. I don't understand some people...

Typical Lake Property Owner response.

You do not own the water under or around your dock.

I can get out of my boat and sit, stand, sunbathe in a speedo or eat a sammich on your dock. Your dock is not private property.

Any attempt to disrupt my fishing makes you guilty of Sportsmans harrassment.

I will video all encounters I have with people that are not pleased about me fishing their dock.

Not a thing you can do about me or anyone else fishing around your dock.

[RK]

This is part of why I hate fishing docks. Don't need the lakeshore owner instigated drama you sometimes get.

I've had dock owners tell me there is a state law that says I can't fish within 100 feet of their dock, which is of course nonsense. I try to be as courteous as I can, but there have been a few that have gotten an introduction to Bad Rob as a result of some over the top belligerence. I ended one 'discussion' by reminding a crabby dock owner that he had no idea who I was, but I knew exactly where he lived...

If I happen to snag up on a dock I do everything I can to make sure I don't leave a hook on the dock. I have kids, and have had cases where someone left a hook and line dangling off my dock where a kid swimming could pretty easily get hooked, and I didn't appreciate it much. I won't get on the dock unless I really have to, but if I have to I will - and the above poster is correct. If the dock is in a public waterway, it's fair game. I do know someone who was trying to pull a Texas-rigged worm loose before a dock owner could come down and chew him out after the hook point had caught on some carpet on the dock. He was using mono (back in the day) and it was stretched just about to the breaking point when the hook pulled lose and sent the whole thing zinging back at his head. He put his hand up palm out to block it...

When he got to the ER, they ended up taking the bullet sinker out through the back of his hand.

If there are people around the dock using it, I generally just avoid the area. I was fishing one stretch of docks on the lake my cabin's on, and there was a young (college-age or so) woman suntanning on one of the docks, so I was looping around it not intending to fish it, and kind of flicked a cast to a little clump of cabbage off to one side of the dock as I went by. Fish ate as soon as the bait hit the water, cut back toward the dock, and came flying out of the water right next to the dock. Girl must have been asleep but the splash woke her up and she opened her eyes to what must have looked like a sea monster jumping right at her head from 2 feet away. She went from horizontal to vertical in a half-second, and bounced up and down making these little squeaking noises. Somewhere around the third or fourth bounce, she realized that she'd untied her bikini top, and said top was still lying on the dock.

I, because I'm an observant angler, had noticed this almost immediately.

She was actually pretty good-natured about it, and laughed pretty hard once she'd grabbed a towel. I apologized, and I really did try to make it sound sincere...

[RumRiverRat]

Got Pictures or video of that RK?

LOL

[Craigums]

Funny, So getting onto someones dock to quickly untangle a lure is OK from a legal standpoint? Because I find myself doing that from time to time. I just know if I owned a dock I'd rather someone get the hook and several feet of line free rather than my bare-feet finding it a few days later.

[Juan Grande]

RK,

When you tell that last story, you should start out with "I can unhook a girl's bikini top with no hands, using only an offset worm hook."

[steiger]

Same here I always try to get my gear back instead of leaving it. Who wants to leave a 5 dollar jig for someone else

[steiger]

And further more it was 8 foot there so I wasn't worried about someone stepping on it. Unless this dude was buddies with shac

[steiger]

In under 5 seconds

[cruiseforever]

After reading the posts I called a MN CO. He said the docks are an extension of private property. Step foot on the dock, you could be arrested.

[RumRiverRat]

After reading the posts I called a MN CO. He said the docks are an extension of private property. Step foot on the dock, you could be arrested.

Um no. Incorrect, docks are not an exstension of private property.

Arrested for what exactly?

Tresspassing? That is a citation only.

Most LEOs do not even know the laws they are suppose to enforce.

[RumRiverRat]

Permits are required for docks wider than 8 feet.

Docks cannot close off an area of a lake.

Docks and Boat lifts may not interfere with your neighbors ability to dock, moor or put their boat on a lift.

Your docks and lifts may not cross your property lines if they were Extended into the Water.

Your property rights on most waters ends at the shoreline, not at the end of your dock.

A floating dock platform anchored for purposes of swimming, sunbathing or other recreational activities is not private property if anchored in public waters.

[Pherris]

When I used to fish tournaments I always kept copies go the regulations in my boat and provide the to the dock owner when they had issues with me fishing near their docks. Here is an article on the subject.

Dock Fishing Rights and Obligations

By Paul Becka, Sportsmen Bassmasters

Encounters with irate and/or hostile lakeshore property owners seem on the increase over the past few years. Almost everyone who fishes docks has a colorful story (or several) involving flying rocks, miscellaneous threats and purple vocabulary directed their way. In most cases, the property owner's ire is inversely proportional to his knowledge of the law.

Very specific Minnesota law governs a bass fisherman's rights and obligations vis á vis lakeshore property owners. The following is a short explanation of the nuts and bolts of Minnesota law as it applies to dock fishing.

Lakeside property owners have certain unique "riparian" rights involving the water that borders their property. Putting in a private dock is considered a riparian right. Riparian rights allow lakeshore property owners to enforce trespass laws up to the water's edge. These rights generally end with the low water mark, although docks extending further out are acceptable as long as they do not interfere with navigation. Comprehensive "fee" ownership of the land is coterminous with the high water mark. The State of Minnesota owns all the land (and water) below the high water mark, in trust for use by the public.

Under Minnesota law, the public has a right to boat, cast or be present on any navigable water it can reach from a public access. Lakeshore property owners cannot legally exclude the public from any water below the current shoreline. By definition, navigable waters include those under, around or near private docks. Signs placed by property owners like those proclaiming "no fishing within 50 feet" of a dock are unlawful attempts to exclude the public from state-owned property. According to the DNR's Enforcement Department, such signs can be legally ignored.

Think of docks as vehicles parked on a public street. Passing fishermen obviously may not trespass on or cause damage to docks, boats, canvas (a particular problem), or any other property "parked" on a public lake. If damage occurs, the perpetrator is liable to the property owner for damages. A conscientious bass fisherman who rips up a canvas canopy with an errant crankbait should immediately contact its owner to make amends. There really is no excuse for slobs who leave hooks buried or line trailing from private docks. Such behavior gives all bass fishermen a bad name.

On the other hand, dock owners have no right to prevent, disrupt, dissuade or otherwise harass anyone who is lawfully attempting to take wild game on navigable waters. Bass are included in the legal definition of the term "wild game". It is a criminal misdemeanor for lakeshore property owners (or anyone else) to interfere with this right. Under extreme circumstances, a hassled bass fisherman may have little recourse but to contact the local authorities and file a formal complaint under Minn. Stat. 97A.037.

The most ambiguous situation occurs when a lure snags a mooring line or wraps a pillar. Technically, the lure's owner may be permitted to "trespass" solely for the purpose of removing the offending lure, although liability can accrue if any actual damage occurs during the trespass. In the real world, property owners are seldom sympathetic to a bad cast. They perceive evil intentions in anyone "messing around" their docks. So proceed with discretion and great care.

Here's the practical bottom line: the public legally entitled to fish just about anywhere we can float a boat, including under private docks. But common sense and courtesy in exercising that right can save a lot of heartache for all concerned.