OCR Text |
Show Don't trespass Trespass laws apply to fishing as well as hunting. A public fishing stream running through private property is not necessarily open to the public for fishing, even if a fisherman is wading down the middle of the stream. A landowner has the right to post that portion of a stream running through his property closed to trespassing. A fisherman entering posted private property without permission is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. He may also have his fishing license revoked. The fishing proclamation states, "Private property will be deemed posted properly when "No Trespassing" signs and-or a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent or bright yellow paint are displayed at all corners, and at all fishing streams that cross property lines, and along all roads, trails, gates and rights-of-way entering such land." A person may not cross posted private property or tamper with locked gates to reach public land. Private property should be respected at all times, whether posted closed or not. In recent years, many areas have been closed to public access because of a destructive disregard f or private property by some fishermen and hunters. Littering, breaking down fences, and disturbing livestock jeopardizes the public's opportunity to fish and hunt on private property in the future. |