Thread: farm ponds

No sir

thanks, a few of the farmers around here was asking and i realy didnt know

The only limit that would apply is the 30 daily and 60 possession limit.

Why would that 30 limit apply in a private farm pond??? What gives the state rights to manage my private water? If I paid for the fish stocked in my pond then they are my fish. Right? Its the same as saying I can't shoot a doe in a private high fence. They are not public funded animals. I dont know about this one boys...........

Yep it don't seem right if you bought the fish but on the other hand if someone happens to get there freezer checked and they have 200 in there possession and the bags are marked farm pond but really came out of a public lake, I know it's hard to believe but there are liars in this world of ours.

If you have receipts for the purchase of your crappie you can harvest as much as you'd like. But if a buddy fishes your pond and keeps 50 and happens upon the Agent traveling home there will be a bit of an investigation. The Agent will need to determine where the fish were caught. The point gets a little sticky if the pond dams up a large enough stream to be considered waters of the state. But in general, if you have proof you purchased your fish, you're fine. Harvest of every crappie caught is necessary to keep them from stunting in a pond.

Let me clear up the confusion on this one…

It’s wordy, but the definition of waters of the state should help here…

3CSR 10-20.805(58) WATERS OF THE STATE: All rivers, streams, lakes, and other bodies of surface water lying within or forming a part of the boundaries of the state which are not entirely confined and located completely upon lands owned or leased by a single person or by two (2) or more persons jointly or as tenants in common or by corporate share-holders, and including waters of the United States lying within the state. Waters of the state will include any waters which have been stocked by the state or which are subject to movement of fishes to and from waters of the state.

So, to sum it up… if the private pond in no way is considered waters of the state than the regulations for those inhabiting fish do not apply. No length limits or take limits should apply to fish taken from a private “farm” pond. As I usually recommend, contact the local agent if you are unsure what your pond classifies as or with specific questions.

Dan Schepis
Conservation Agent
Clay Co. MO
Psoted 05/19/13 @ 10:06am

Yeah!