1. Purpose
1.1. This Rule A.9 specifies the limitations and controls on fishing in the lakes of Big Canoe.
2. Fishing Privileges
2.1. Fishing privileges are open only to: Property Owners, Tenants and Guests; registered rental Guests; marketing Guests; and employees of the Association and the Company. Commercial fishing enterprises of any kind (e.g. fishing guides, etc.) are prohibited.
2.2. All persons engaged in fishing ashore or afloat, who are 13 years of age or older, must have a valid Big Canoe fishing permit or be listed on the current list of annual permit holders.
2.3. Children under the age of 13 years must be supervised by an adult. The creel limit of
the supervising adult includes fish caught by the accompanying children.
2.4. Big Canoe fishing permits can be purchased on a daily, weekly, or annual basis. In no case, will a temporary fishing permit be issued for a period longer than one week.
2.5. Property Owners purchasing permits must show their current valid POA identification card or some other current proof of identification.
2.6. Tenants and Guests must purchase a daily fishing permit at the Marina office.
3. Fishing Location Restrictions
3.1. On Lake Sconti, fishing may be from boats or banks, but is not allowed on or adjacent to any portion of the golf course, from a boat near these banks, or on open water in the line of flight from any tee box.
3.2. Fishing is permitted on Lake Disharoon subject to a specific set of restrictions governing seasons and location. These restrictions are posted at Lake Disharoon and are available in published form at the Marina.
3.3. Fishing is authorized on Toad’s Pond and Blackwell Springs.
3.4. On Lake Petit, fishing is permitted from boats and from designated banks as follows:
3.4.a. The shoreline along the spillway and dam;
3.4.b. The shoreline surrounding the main Marina office;
3.4.c. The North Marina.
3.5. Fishing is specifically prohibited from Property Owner slip rental docks or from boats inside the boundaries of the slip rental docks. The Marina supervisor is authorized to designate specific areas in the POA domain for small children to fish.
3.6. Bank fishermen are specifically prohibited from trespassing on private property.
4. Fishing Methods and Catch Restrictions
4.1. Creel limits are subject to change from time to time. Permit holders will be advised of creel limits.
4.2. Catch and release of trout is prohibited. Released trout are unlikely to survive.
4.3. No more than two hand-held lines may be used at any one time by one person.
4.4. Hook and line fishing is the only type allowed. All other methods (set lines, nets, etc.) are prohibited.
4.5. The cleaning of fish on any lake or in the area of the Marina is specifically prohibited.
4.6. Minnows/Shiners or other bait fish are prohibited as they pose a great disease threat to the Big Canoe Lakes.
5. Enforcement
5.1. Violations of Rule A.9 by Property Owners, Tenants, or Guests will subject the Property Owner to sanctions in accordance with Rule A.1, General Enforcement Procedures. In addition:
Any person violating daily creel limits will be subject to a fine of $20 per fish for all fish in his/her possession over the limit stated in Section 4. Fines levied for the violation of these creel limits will be billed to the Property Owner or organization that authorized/requested the issuance of the permit being used. The violator will be issued a citation, must leave the lake immediately, forfeit all fish, and have his/her fishing permit suspended for the balance of its term.
Persons who refuse to permit inspection of their coolers, creels, live wells, stringers, or any other containers in which fish may be kept must cease fishing immediately and will be prohibited from future fishing in Big Canoe by permanent revocation of their fishing rights.
Any person fishing without a current fishing permit will be subject to a fine of $30, will forfeit all fish in their possession and must cease fishing immediately.
5.2. Violations of the above Rules and Regulations by Property Owners, Tenants, or Guests will subject the Property Owner to sanctions in accordance with Rule A.1, General Enforcement Procedures.
