Fishing private waters?

[HerringKing]

I'm not 100% sure but I was under the impression that all water is public. As long as your floating or wading in the water and NEVER step on the bank, I would think you would be alright. But don't take my word for it. I don't want you to get in trouble.

[jimmythegreek]

Im not sure on that. If the property surrounding the body of water is private or privately owned then u really have no access thus making it off limits. I would have no problem entering any water if there was access thru river or canal or etc. If people boat/fish on the body of water u will prob have no problems doing so. If its an off limits lake and u r the only one out there u stick out like a sore thumb. I guess u could always say u parachuted into the lake from above

[shrimpman steve]

why not ask permission from the land owner?

[Eskimo]

Since it's a lake and not actually a navigable river, you might be tresspassing.

This site may have some useful information, but it applis mostly to rivers and not lakes.
http://www.nationalrivers.org/states/nj-law.htm

Ask anybody who has tried to fsh a private lake like Lake Gerard without expressed permission how aggressive and litigious land owners can be about keeping "outsiders" off their lake.