While driving around this new town I bought a house in (Madison WI) I've noticed several small to mid sized ponds... I'm guessing some are around 50-100 yards x 50-100 yards for the smaller ones maybe 200x200 for the mid size ones.  I never see signs posted around them but there are litterally a dozen of them all over.  I've never seen anyone fishing them, or off limits signs.  

First question:

Would it be adventageous to spend some time working these ponds to find out if there are any bass?

How can I find out if they are allowed to be fished?

Reason I've been wondering is because one of the mid sized ones looks NICE, real thick weeds, fallen trees all kinds of good stuff.

Well, I would say just go fish a few, as that's what I'd do but Florida's regulations tend to be a little more lenient than some of the northern states I've fished in.  You might want to check your local Fish and Wildlife Department or look through your states' fishing reg's and see if there's anything that sounds like you aren't allowed to fish roadside ponds.  My guess would be if it isn't posted anywhere and you aren't restricting/endangering traffic to park and fish there, then you're probably okay to try it.  

Just go fish them the same way you'd fish any other lake  in your area as there might not be much fishing pressure there.  If you don't have any luck just downsize your lures and give 'er another go.

Dont know about up there but down here if it aint posted i try it anyhow ,,Its risky though if ya got a weak heart and spinchter a landowner has a right to talk to ya with shotgun in hand. Posted or not still there land

I would be sure to check with the land owner before you fish the property.

Post this in the fishing locations section and you'll probably get a reply from a Madison BR member  

You could go to City Hall and reqest a Platte Map of your area. It will show all of the property and who owns it.

I found a few myself(5 total) that i found to be very unproductive! I spoke to the owners of the properties and they said they didn't care! They even let me put the boat in there! No ramps, just backed er up with my bros 4X4. We only caught a few dinks! It doesn't hurt to ask............

Not all ponds are dinkholes (is that a word ? it is now). If you get the ok, fish 'em all.

No signs=fair game. I'll fish any puddle I can cast into. ;D The way I see it is if it isn't posted then the worst that can happen is you get kicked out. How can you be arrested for trespassing if your not hopping a fence or disobeying a sign?

You may be able to call your county appraisers office to figure out who owns the property.Also can take pondhunters advice.

i'd be all over them , if there is no signs i'd be fishing within the blink of an eye  

no signs and easily accessible = i'd fish it.

ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ask to be on a piece of property before stepping foot on it.

As a landowner let me say first hand there is nothing more frustrating than having a trespasser on your land. I have a few local farm ponds that I am allowed to fish and every spring I give the landowners a call just to make sure that it is still okay to fish there. And if you are allowed to treat the place with respect. Don't leave any trash around.

One of the ponds I fish is an absolute honeyhole. I have fished some of the lakes around this area and none of them have ever came close to this little pond. Over the last 4 years between me and 2 friends we have pulled 8 fish over 7 pounds and 2 of those were over 9 and some change.

Just finding out if it is public or private land and going up to ask for permission could save you alot of trouble down the road. The worse that could happen is they say no.