The Online Source for Washington Fishing Information
"these docks are off limits"...
I dont know if any of you have run into the disgruntled waterfront lake owner who claim that they own the dock and water beneath the dock out in front of their residence. I have as of late had some pretty angry homeowners tell that they own the water, around and under their dock and fishing it is prohibited. This happened to me on more then one occasion with more then one homeowner up on summit lake in olympia. I was dumbfounded, knowing quite well that you cant own the water, but the persisitant homeowners, and yes they were persistant argued otherwise. I just wanted to throw this out there so no one gets caught be suprise if they visit the lake. One guy went as far to tell me that the homeowners on the lake own the water out to the end of their docks and any water in between their dock and the neighbors.
Just to be sure i contacted the washington fish and wildlife and they informed that they didnt think the homeowner did, but they werent sure and told me to contact the thurston county sheriff's because they are in charge of regulating the laws around the lakes and lake speeds. When i talked to the sheriff's office they said that "no they dont own the property and if the sitution persists on your next visit, have the homeowner contact them". In this summer heat, avoiding certain docks might be easier then the confrontation of the homeowner, but in the spring, when possible big fish will be bedded under or around these areas, I wanted to make sure we as fisherman werent in the wrong. If you come across a situation like this, handle it as you wish with the homeowner, but know with confidence, no matter how hard they may try to convince you, they dont own anything but the dock floating there in front of their house.
Just to be sure i contacted the washington fish and wildlife and they informed that they didnt think the homeowner did, but they werent sure and told me to contact the thurston county sheriff's because they are in charge of regulating the laws around the lakes and lake speeds. When i talked to the sheriff's office they said that "no they dont own the property and if the sitution persists on your next visit, have the homeowner contact them". In this summer heat, avoiding certain docks might be easier then the confrontation of the homeowner, but in the spring, when possible big fish will be bedded under or around these areas, I wanted to make sure we as fisherman werent in the wrong. If you come across a situation like this, handle it as you wish with the homeowner, but know with confidence, no matter how hard they may try to convince you, they dont own anything but the dock floating there in front of their house.
Views: 41
Comment
-
Comment by Roy E. Hawes on August 5, 2009 at 11:24pm
-
the RCW marc is what i have been searching for, thanks for the heads up, crawford mentioned a RCW or a CFR, but i didnt want to pull that card with the homeowner until i knew which one it was. The situtions never got to rock throwing, or even crafty weaponry, but when someone harasses you on the water for you doing what you love, well it can spoil a perfect afternoon right quick for me. Thanks all for you comments and input.
-
Comment by Marc Marcantonio on August 5, 2009 at 8:48pm
-
Harassment
RCW 77.15.210 Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife - Penalty is a gross misdemeanor and or jail time.
I keep this in my blackberry, along with the sheriff's phone numbers (sometimes you have to inform the sheriff of the harassment RCW, but they usually get with the program real quick). When all else fails, casually mention the dock owner appeared to have a weapon.
ciao,
Marc
-
Comment by Mark Byrne on August 5, 2009 at 4:38pm
-
I volunteer to call the Sheriff for them, everyone has so far declined! There is one fellow on Long Lake in Lacey who bypasses the whole talking thing and goes straight to throwing rocks! He was visited by the Sheriff! No rocks since then!
-
-
they mentioned something like this was a rule passed at the home owners association meeting...i would almost want to go to one of these meetings and bring up the issue. when i was talking to the sheriffs office I asked him to go on the lake in his off time not in uniform in his personal boat so he could get the full effect, like on a sunday morning when everyone is home.
-
Comment by Johnny Walker on August 5, 2009 at 2:43pm
-
They pulled the ole' "SUGAR n the Gas TAnk" story.... timeless!
-
Comment by Zackery Shaff on August 5, 2009 at 11:25am
-
This problem is everywhere. If your on a lake like sammamish, or even worse, the Delta, make sure you have the local sheriff's number on your phone. Sometimes people become violent "protecting" their dock.
-
Comment by S Hwang on August 5, 2009 at 11:05am
-
Like Chris said just have them deal with the cops or wdfw, but don't let them think they are correct in the end or they will just keep up this behavior towards the next person coming around the dock. These idiots will probably stop harassing people out of embarrassment once they make the call and realize they are on the wrong end of this one. That said, there are probably some who have had hooks/lines/lures left on their docks by people so obviously we should be doing our part as well.
-
Comment by Chris Blandi on August 5, 2009 at 7:37am
-
I know what you mean. There was another blog on this and I made one of the last posts of what happened to me and it was pretty outragous. One of the guys I just told to "call the sherriff, they will explain it to you". Best of all don't leave having them think you are an idiot. They don't own anything but the dock. One guy on Sammamish became confrontational right off the bat on me. He said I wasn't allowed in between two docks and I was getting too close. He had a buddy with him that was a little more understandable, so I said " hey I'm ok with you, the other guy not so much" lol. It worked, and we worked it out. The Sammamish people were more mad because they told me peoples boats were getting vandalized, someone was pouring sugar in there gas tanks, and they wanted to make sure it wasn't me since I was fishing close. Bogus story probably, but oh well. I told them when you come with that ATTITUDE from the get go you aren't going to get a nice one back. I think he will handle things differently in the future.
Blog Posts
Old Farts Tournament on Potholes
Posted by Tom Melowitz on September 7, 2019 at 2:45pm
New Group Added!
Posted by Eric Urstad on April 3, 2019 at 7:38pm
© 2024 Created by Jordan Doucet.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Washington Fishing to add comments!
Join Washington Fishing