Private Property Ponds / Lakes?

[IRISH HUNTER]

How do state regulations affect private ponds or lakes? Are there any limits on what you can legally possess?

 

[RUGER]

Yep statewide creel limits apply to private ponds / lakes as well.

 

[IRISH HUNTER]

Thanks! I thought they did apply, but was not 100% sure. I usually catch & release.

 

[SEC]

As the owner of a pond that I stocked. If I want to keep 6 bass to eat I can't do it. Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[MidTennFisher]

Yea you can only keep 5 at a time but they can be any size. Honestly, if it's your pond on your own land you can do whatever you want. Just don't put it in writing anywhere and you'll be fine.

 

[tn droptine]

Yup, this is the biggest complaint that I have had as a TN resident.

The fact that I paid for fish that I stocked in my own pond and I have to follow outside regulations on it drives me up the wall, especially when I have visiting family from out of state that I have to tell to purchase a non-resident fishing license just to fish my pond....ridiculous!!!

 

[4onaside]

Come on guys, really! The TWRA is not gonna bother you on your own pond. Just go about your business.

 

[catman529]

if I built my own pond and paid my own money to stock it, I would keep whatever the heck I wanted and not say anything about it. But don't take my advice because I am not responsible for someone getting busted over something stupid.

 

[bassinbrian]

keep your bank runners, put you big fish back. Keep all the crappie ya can eat, these fish will overpopulate and stunt ponds especially small ones.

 

[MidTennFisher]

keep your bank runners, put you big fish back. Keep all the crappie ya can eat, these fish will overpopulate and stunt ponds especially small ones.

I fish a small pond, which will remain unnamed, in Franklin out of my kayak. I've caught fish everywhere from dinky bass to 21+" fatties in there. It's a natural mucky pond that harbors some pigs. I hear rumors about a 7 pounder and even a 12 in there. I think the 12 is a stretch but I'm going to keep fishing it until I catch that 7.

I catch a lot of dinks in there and I'm afraid the pond is overrun with them. I want to take some of the smaller fish, 12-15" range, home to eat and let the bigger fish grow even bigger but I'm afraid the residents will freak out if they see me do it. Sometimes people don't know that is how conservation works and will just see me as a non-resident of the neighborhood taking their fish.