I just learned of a farm pond that is loaded with bass. My buddies got permission to fish it. How would I go about getting permission as well...knock on the door?? How do some of you guys do it? 

 

Thanks for the info

 

Ask your buddies ito introduce you to the owner.

If I didn't know you and you knocked on my door I'd tell you no (probably).

Ask your buddy if he can take you to his door?

Be polite and make it worth his time...

Give him some beer, offer to help him mow... Think of something.

In Indiana, you can forget that notion, it ain't likely to happen... It's Lawsuits, etc.. Other reasons too,

Good luck to you though..

Be polite, use "maam" and "sir" and let them set boundaries. That works for me. 

If I didn't know you and you knocked on my door I'd tell you no (probably).

Ask your buddy if he can take you to his door?

Be polite and make it worth his time...

Give him some beer, offer to help him mow... Think of something.

"Dinner is on me if you let me fish that pond"

haha

Just be polite and respectful. Ask for permission and assure the owner that you'll not leave anything but footprints. it's like summing up the courage to ask the most beautiful girl out, if successful, it's definitely worth the chance of rejection. Yes there are those that simply will not allow you to fish.......... Another thing I do once I have their permission , is to carry a trash bag and police up any litter I may find. This has made a favorable impression on several of the owners I've come to know. Good luck.

The only thing that I can add to advice already given here is to remind you that every situation is different.

Any research you can do about who owns the land and what they are about is time well spent - generally.

 

Be creative and you can find lots of decent water to go fishing on.  Don't let other people tell you what water you can and can't fish on.  Find out for yourself and be discreet with who you share the information with.

No one has EVER turned me down when I offer work. I have always dressed clean and spoke well, and it's never failed. Sometimes I've had to work for that pond, and others they just want you to catch some turtles or something silly. Never go knock on their doors with all of your gear with you lol Go beforehand and you can always come back to fish. You do that and you shouldn't have a problem unless they are just jerks.

Thanks for the tips! I've been scouting this property out on google earth and there is a fairly long driveway leading to the owners house. I have been reading up on gaining permission and some people say that people might not be okay with driving right up to the house. Should I drive up and ask or maybe park further back away from the house and then walk up?

If your friend knows them then he NEEDS to go with you.

 

But if he can't, I would clean your car inside and out, dress nice, and go knock. Drive up to the house but don't park on grass or anything. Say something like "Sir/Ma'am I was wondering if I help clean up around you yard/pond, if I could fish there every now and then. I will always leave it cleaner than how I found it." If they say no the thank them and maybe leave them your number in case they change their minds and need some help cleaning it up.

If your friends can't come with you, mention the friend's name they like the most.  You could also see if they ever have a car by the road for sale, a garage sale (if they do buy a bunch of stuff), or if they are outside working in the yard you could offer help then.  But don't be weird about it and say something like "a guy told me on the internet to stake out your house and wait for you to come outside to ask if I can fish your pond."  just be cool, polite, and honest.

Being the owner of a farm pond I'd say the best way to ask for permission is to knock on the door, ask him if he needs any work done and if he says yes, ask him if you can fish his pond in return for the work. Or just have your friend introduce you,  OR you could just ask your friend what the owner is like personality wise and ask how he would like you to ask. Hope this helps

                                                                                                                                                  -Glenn

great advice. only thing i'll add is to ask about future visits...  "would you like me to knock each time I come?".  I had a nice lady proactively tell me not to bother knocking each time b/c I already knew the rules.  and "where would you like me to park?"