MarylandFish Loc: Maryland

I’ve never been to a place where you have to pay to fish but I recently discovered that there is a place about 50 miles from my house where you pay $15 to fish all day. The predominant fish seems to be catfish and the place attracts the typical catfish crowd.

What do you guys think of these places?

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

We have pay lakes. I don’t fish them. Never have but I know folks who do. Sometimes they do pretty good on big cats

Larry M Loc: North Clairmount, San Diego

You have to pay to fish at the lakes near us.
The big lake called the Pacific is free. lol

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

Amador up here is privately owned and they stock huge trout from their hatchery operation, hybrid Cutbows, Rainbows and something that is very much gold in color, when I say huge fish I have fished with another guy or two and limited out with a stringer of fish that is three pounds at the bottom end and over ten at the top.

I'm getting ready to go this weekend, they charge something like $7 to launch the boat, $10 to park the vehicle, and something per fishermen to fish, it will be about $27/$29, it drives my wife batty, but the launch fees at some reservoirs are $20 or $25 these days. We get a season pass that covers all the state mountain lakes we fish except Amador and a couple of others, so it drives Jeanne nuts to pay for a lake that charges.

We've spent $40k cash on an F-150 Platinum and a boat in the last six months, so my response is to ask her really, you gonna worry about thirty bucks to fish at a place that kicks out such nice fish? Trust me, if we catch fish she will go back, skunked and Amador will be dead to her forever, or at least until I come back with a stringer of monsters.

In your case it would depend on how consistent the fishing is, I'd hate to pay $15 and get skunked.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I only know of a few lakes around here where you can just go fish. Most you have to at least pay a day use fee to park your car or a fee to launch your boat. Once that's paid, you're under no obligation to fish, but you can if you want to and if you have a valid license.

MarylandFish Loc: Maryland

Now I didn’t expect to read that. I’ve never paid a dime to fish at any lake or pond.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I've paid to launch the boat, at a water company controlled ramp, and on one lake where the only developed ramp is privately owned by a marina/boat rental business. I've never paid to fish.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Nor have I per se. There are private fisheries here that you can go into, rent a rod and reel, buy some bait, you agree to keep whatever you catch and then you have to pay for them. I've never done that. Some folks take their kids to a place like that to get em interested in fishing because you're just about guaranteed to catch fish. Not a bad deal. But. There aren't that many natural lakes in California, lots of rivers and streams, but generally someone has to dam one up in order to make a lake. They're generally managed by either an irrigation district or a power company. And most of them you have to pay to park or launch. So you're not actually paying to fish - you're paying for access.

Lee626 Loc: Brick NJ [ near the Jersey shore ]

I have a pay to fish place about 40 miles away from me and i'll go there a few times in the summer, they got three huge ponds stocked with bass and alot of cats some of the bass are huge too, defiantly worth $12 for the day,

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

We have some daily fee lakes to cover the maintenance of the ramps and parking lots, but many are free. I can purchase a County Pass for $25 per year where I do most of my fishing and can access at least dozens of lakes and Flowages. Their fees are typically $3 per day, but buying the window sticker beats trying to remember to bring some singles every time I bounce to another lake.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

If I have to pay I prefer season passes as well. If the fishing is good I'm going to repeat the location anyway.

1bald1 Loc: Mid North Carolina

Ocean fishing is not free in California. Exception is public piers and jetties. Google for ALL ocean fees in California.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

You must have a license if you're not fishing from a pier or jetty, other than that most places are free.

linegod2K Loc: Lago Vista, Texas

I work in Calif. it is around $140. for a non res license.
So far this year I haven’t payed to park or fish anywhere.
My biggest cost has been to pay an older couple to drive my truck from the Hwy 20 bridge on the So Yuba river, down river to the trailer park where I take my drift boat out.
That has been cheep.
I put new fly line on 4 different reels, bought a Winston 4 wt and a looms 6 wt with two new reals and line.
If it’s a good fishery why bitch about 20 or 30 bucks to park?

linegod2K Loc: Lago Vista, Texas

Ps I’m heading to Almanor this weekend.