You will find on this board alot of people that fish around docks as they supply plenty of cover. I am sure that they do not own them all. They are open game as far as I am concerned, especially on public lakes like Smith. Just as if you put an attractor in anywhere in the lake anyone can fish it. As far as a rope up to keep you from fishing would be unethical and illigal. Would not be legal to restrict access to public waters. I hope they tasted great!