Does the DNR have any legal authority when someone is fishing a private pond? There's a private pond I have permission to fish by the owner(it's a local sand pit property)and I was wondering if I'm at risk if I fish it before the game fish season opens? My son is coming in from Oregon next week and wants to go fishing, but the season won't be open yet. The fishing there is only catch and release anyway. Thanks.

To be on the safe side,give them a call.

Warden Authority

Conservation wardens performing their duties may enter private land at any time. Wardens

may also seize as evidence all fish taken or possessed in violation of the law, and

any equipment used in connection with a violation. Wardens do not have the authority

to enforce trespass laws.

Taken from 2011 regulations, page 21

Warden Authority

Conservation wardens performing their duties may enter private land at any time. Wardens

may also seize as evidence all fish taken or possessed in violation of the law, and

any equipment used in connection with a violation. Wardens do not have the authority

to enforce trespass laws.

Taken from 2011 regulations, page 21

Thanks. It seems unbelievable though. So if I had a farm in the "middle of nowhere" with my own pond, I cannot go out and "catch and release" bass before opening day? That can't be right. Or as my original question asks, fishing someone else's pond, with their permission, before opening day(catch and release only)?

Thanks. It seems unbelievable though. So if I had a farm in the "middle of nowhere" with my own pond, I cannot go out and "catch and release" bass before opening day? That can't be right. Or as my original question asks, fishing someone else's pond, with their permission, before opening day(catch and release only)?

I agree, on the surface, it seems odd. However, put it into the context of hunting. Even on your own land, you can not harvest deer out of season. It is the same principle. Whether it is catch and release, technically, you are not to target bass out of season in Wisconsin. The long arm of the DNR is very long. If they see you are on private property fishing, they can come up and check for licenses and illegal fish.

Whets

Thanks. I don't hunt, but it almost makes sense now. The difference is I don't "harvest" ANY fish. I release everything.

Some states say you can fish on YOUR land without a license. I don't know about seasons though. You could've called them up. You would've gotten the answer straight from the source in a matter of minutes.

When it comes to hunting though, those deer on your land don't live on your land. They are the state's deer. If it's my private pond, it shouldn't matter because i maintain the pond and the fish in it. They're my fish. That's my 2 cents. Whatever the law says, i don't know how they can tell you what to do on private waters.

It's gamefish season now, but it wouldn't hurt to know for next year.

I have looked into building a private pond for myself. I found that the only way you can fish out of season or without a license while fishing your private pond is to register as a Fish Farm. It seems silly that you can't fish for fish that paid for, however from what I have read, registering as a fish farm is free.