Fishing Marinas

[Paul]

Was told I can't fish in the marina in a boat asked to move on I thought in a boat as long as you didn't block or tie off it was considered navigable water.Anyone know what the rules for this might be. A buddy had same problem and sheriff was called and told to move on.He talked to DNR and told it was allowed who's right?

[WOW]

The water is not owned and you can fish it. As long as you follow all other rules you are fine. If you come in from somewhere public your OK. The water is public and can be fished by anyone as long as you can access it without crossing on owned land.

[Capt. Denny Bergeman]

Paul,

The DNR is correct. You are allowed to fish in any marina lagoon that is navigable. The reason I know this is that I was in charge of a Private Yacht Club Marina and we were told by authorities that we could not stop fisherman from entering our private lagoon and fish, as long as they did not tie up to our property. Bottom line is that the property is private not the water way.

[cisco]

This issue came up at two marinas I know of in Wis. Both were Lake Michigan ports with connecting navigable water. Local officials sought to prevent anglers from fishing, but an appeal to the Coast Guard produced a ruling. You can fish, but you cannot obstruct navigation.

[reelman]

Our local marina(Manitowoc Wi) tried this a couple years ago. They tried to harrass us out of the marina. I asked them to call the police, which they did. I then asked the police what I was doing wrong? I was in public waters? I even asked him to give me a ticket, he wouldn't he just asked me to leave again, and again. Finally I did because I felt sorry for him.

Technically I believe in Wi you can even tie up to the docks and fish off of them as long as you get to the dock by public water, not by land.

[cisco]

It can probably be said from the evidence that many Wis port cities simply don't want fishing in the harbors and marinas, but cannot legally prohibit angling. I know of a charter captain who trolled from harbor entrance to turnaround basin and back out when the brown trout were active and was ticketed for it. He went to court and won.

[Floyd (Mi.)]

I was run out of a marina once the sheriff was called an I was told if my lure got stuck in any pileing I could be taking to court for damages,I took my hooks off my crank an kept fishing, they didn't see that I took them off,I finally left.

[Paul]

Lost Penninsula Marina just outside the Ottawa River great panfish and smallies has natural springs feeding it.

[Lee]

I live in Sheboygan, Wi and in our Marina I know that ice fishing isn't a problem but I'm not sure about using a boat.