Ignorance of rules & laws...

[buzzbaiter]

Left work early friday to fish a small lake. I chose this lake because a) its on the way home and b) no boats allowed. I arrived to see only one black p/u truck. I thought not bad considering nice day. But as I approached the lake, i noticed two kayaks on the water and they were fishing. You cannot reach the lake without first passing by a clearly marked sign that says "No boats allowed on municipal waters" Written in spanish too for those who no comprendo ingles. Anyhow I was not pleased and quickly returned to my vehicle. I found a piece of paper and wrote a nice little love note for the violators reminding them no boats allowed. I carefully slipped it under their windshield wiper and drove off to another spot. Hopefully they - literally - get the message :D

In case your wondering, a kayak(and canoe) is considered a boat by definition.

[acabtp]

that's my neck of the woods too. i never fish there except when it's covered with ice because the weeds are insane. shame about the 'yaks, several legal places nearby they could have fished instead.

[buzzbaiter]

several legal places nearby they could have fished instead.

Yep. Not a boat hater its just nice to have a few places where you don't have to deal with boats. I mean other than your local farm ponds, most places don't have restrictions. I applaud this township for doing it.

[Chrisper4694]

I called the appropriate number recently to report a similar violation...they didn't care...what's the point of rules not enforced?

[15FOOTER]

Wow they really looked like they were in the way....damn ignorant rule breaking boater/kayakers.

[XXlyakattacker]

Those are sit inside kayaks! Or Redneck bass boats as I call them. I wouldn't put them in boat or kayak group. But I see your point.

[Delawareriver]

Not disagreeing with you but definitions may vary between a dictionary and municipality. Would have to check the ordinance to see what it actually includes.

For example if you look at the definition of a firearm In the dictionary it will only include actual guns thar use gun powder where most ordinaces will also include air powered like pellet guns, Bows and slingshots

[buzzbaiter]

Googled ordinance...didn't find anything. I may contact the township and ask. Its possible. If I were a boater, I would wonder what reasons(s) they have not to allow them other than safety or maybe preserving aesthetic quality.

[ChaosStarter]

Googled ordinance...didn't find anything. I may contact the township and ask. Its possible. If I were a boater, I would wonder what reasons(s) they have not to allow them other than safety or maybe preserving aesthetic quality.


A lot of times, it's because there's no easy ramp for a rescue team to launch. That's the same reason supposedly Clark Resevoir has never allowed any boaters even though we've heard conflicting rules about that place for the last few years now.

[UglyStick]

Googled ordinance...didn't find anything. I may contact the township and ask.

If you do contact the town, please post their response, I have similar questions about another lake in that township.

[buzzbaiter]

Per the township via email response:

Good morning,

Please see attached ordinance XVII. Page 4 contains the relevant ordinance.

It reads:
17-1.1a- No person in a public park or recreational facility shall
25. Bring into, or operate any boat, raft or other water craft, upon any waters.

Unfortunately that restriction applies to all watercraft, including canoes and kayaks.

Regards



The entire list of rules is quite detailed. Here's another one:

Hunt, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, or shoot or throw missiles, remove, or have in his possession any animal, reptile or bird; or knowingly buy, receive or have in his possession, sell or give away any such animal, reptile, bird, or eggs so taken.

Damn I really want to throw missiles at the geese and tease the frogs. lol

[UglyStick]

Thanks for the info - what's odd is for them having so many rules, at the other lake there are no signs whatsoever - a complete absence.

[buzzbaiter]

23. Allow himself to be so covered by a bathing suit as to indecently expose his person.

:eek:

[yumasdad]

You can't fix stupid or ignorance of people who are not open to self evaluation (ie: stupid).

No matter how much they try with big government & legislation stupid is what stupid does & apparently we do a lot of that here in the GARDEN STATE.:D

[buzzbaiter]

Well in communicating with the township official, he did say more specific signs will be posted so there is no confusion.

[Ken Lyons]

There's no effective choice but to honor the regs but there's plenty of stupid on the part of those who draw them up. Sometimes the regs make sense but most of us just accept the good with the bad. How is it that NYC can allow fishing on its reservoirs and we can only wish on our way to Monksville? Newark charges a fee. How much would a permit to fish the Wanaque be worth?

[ChaosStarter]

How much would a permit to fish the Wanaque be worth?


I'd pay $200 for a couple days on Wanaque with a boat.

[yumasdad]

I would pay to fish on WANAQUE for sure. Since MONKSVILLE is right on top of WANAQUE I do not see any issue with the impact of fishing on it. It may just be a security liability issue as to why it has never been opened up to the public.

Remember MONKSVILE allows gas motors up to 10HP IN THEORY. Anyone who fishes there, especially at night will tell you that fools are launching all kinds of boats with motors too large for the limit & no electric motors. It can be the wild west on the water there...

I fished WANAQUE a few times with my dad who was a police officer & he had friends who worked there who would hook us up. Went out with guide on a small boat & just crushed it every time we went. Not sure if they still offer that service anymore but it sure was awesome as a kid. It was an unbelievable fishery then but may not be quite as diverse now that STRIPERS are there & established.