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I was in a similar boat this summer. I have fished in a canal near Bingham High School since 2001. We have never had any problems at all. There are no signs regarding tresspassing and my friend has water rights to the canal. We have had the most consistent fishing there as well. The average catch rate is well over 20 fish an hour. We have caught bullheads, white bass, perch, carp, and channels out the "ditch." We have been approached by DWR and South Jordan Police many times and they are stunned that we actually can catch fish. Some have even brought there kids out the day after they talked to us and we showed them how we were catching them. The law enforcement and there kids had a great time. We even have done some night fishing out there and done really well. Then this summer a South Jordan police officer watched us for a while and then after we caught some fish he came over and told us that we were tresspassing and fishing was not allowed. I was stunned. I had fished with his people in his same agency and then he pulled this on us. I was quite upset. Then he threatened to impound my truck and fine us if we came back. I have since moved on and found a new honey hole but it is 40 miles farther round trip. Thanks homie.
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Cowboy Up!
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Were there any signs that would help to define the place as a community pond?
Most community ponds have the signs that warn you to check the proc and regs.
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No signs that I could see.
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[cool][#0000ff]I'm pretty sure that I know what pond you are talking about. Used to be one of my favorites too...until I went through the ice.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I had heard that it was now a Community Fishery, and I had also heard that there are no signs to advise anglers, like they normally put up to warn of limits, etc. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have emailed Drew Cushing, head of the Community Fisheries program, to see if he can offer any input.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As we have discussed on the board before, it is unfortunate that some COs do not use their "discretionary" authority better. That is a new Community water and DWR is trying to increase PR, not discourage anglers from using them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have gotten a couple of "bogus" tickets over the years, for totally wrong situations, so I feel your pain.[/#0000ff]
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The limit changed from the statewide limit to the community fisheries limit January 1 2007. The DWR is working with Holmes Creek Irrigation Company and Layton City to improve the situation at Holmes Creek both in terms of access and the trash situation. The DWR figured that if the improvements were going to attract additional folks down there then the fishery needed some additional protection. I am sorry for the confusion but it is listed in the 2007 Fishing Guide as a Community Fishery water with the 4 fish limit. I will get some signs up as soon as possible.
Drew
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The Lake I'm referring to was always called the Company Pond and up until a few years ago that's what I called it until I found out from a retired CO friend that it's real name was Holmes Creek. The only sign as of yesyterday was PRIVATE PROPERTY TRESSPASSING ALLOWED NO SWIMMING,TUBING OR BOATING. This has been posted around the lake at access points for as long as I have fished there. If any one wants to take their kids ice fishing it's a great place to go, my younguns grew up icefishing it. I probably caught and released a dozen trout and 20 to 25 Cats yesterday along with several small bluegill and bass. It is easy access and is located on the East end of Valley View Golf course on Gentile St. in Layton. I hope you all enjoy it, it has been a great place to fish for the past 30 years.[cool]
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I wished they just left this pond alone. You're right it's fished GREAT for 30 years. I don't want improvements!!!!! I don't want fish planted there. I don't want crowds there. I love how it was wild like that with the difficult access, forest and harsh terrain. It was like a mini wilderness pond within the city. That was the whole appeal of it. Also abundant populations of fish. I wish it were changed back to the way it is and improvements halted. Just my two cents.
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Last Sunday morning we watched a coyote walking along the edge of the pond looking for food, she wasn't the least bit concerned we were fishing within 30 yards of her, she made a complete circle of the lake. Other fisherman observed her as well. Neat to see.[cool]
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Hm, I always thought that you couldn't ice fish there, either. I live just across US-89 from it. Have tried it from the shore in summer with only limited success. Guess I'll have to wander over after the arctic blast this coming weekend.
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It will get alot of pressure now, but that's what the State wants.
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Does that mean they'll allow boats or float tubes now? That would rock.
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Started off as a great morning to go fish a little pond I have been ice fishing for 30 years. I met several other gents during the morning's fishing that were also enjoying the fishing. I should have known something was amiss when I started catching SLIME ROCKETS, in all the years I have fished this lake I have never caught a trout. I ended up keeping 4 catfish and 1 bass for this evening's dinner. Gathered up my gear and headed back to my truck. As I was storing my gear up pulls a couple CO's. I started chatting with them and they asked how my fishing had been, I told them I had caught & released alot of fish and had kept a few for dinner. They asked if they could see them and I said sure. They then proceeded to inform me that I had over my limit! I said how is that when I only had 4 Cats and one bass. That's when they dropped the big one and said that this is a COMMUNITY FISHING POND and that the daily limit is 4 fish total. I asked when did this take place and the younger one said it has been that way for a couple years (LIE)! They took one of my fish and gave me a citation. When I got home I looked at a 2006 Proclamation and this pond was not listed last year. I know I should have read this year's proclamation and made sure I knew all the new changes, I'm not a law breaker and always abide by the regs. I guess I'll be donating some money to the State but you can bet I won't be volunteering my time. This is just to let you know to be sure and check the regs to make sure they (DWR) have not ruined your fishing hole. I realize this was MY BAD and I'll take the hit.
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