Preface

It is very important to understand that the lakes are first and foremost Retention Ponds for Stormwater Management.  They are not natural.  They have all been created to take road & parking & impervious surface runoff together with whatever gets mixed into that surface water runoff.  They take golf course, yard and common area runoff together with whatever gets mixed into those surface water runoffs.  Some amounts of nutrients, fertilizers, pesticides, oils and other things inevitably get mixed into the various surface water runoffs to make their way into the stormwater retention ponds. 

We will call them “lakes and Ponds” for the purpose of this report but they are specifically stormwater retention ponds.

The text below is the same MS Word file you have been sent via e-mail.  The difference is the Maps to the specific 12 ponds are linked for viewing. The maps should print out the same on all printers.

Chas

Several ways to approach the fishing guidelines within WGV.

1.  No Fishing  - not allow anyone to fish unless from their own properties.  Probably the simplest rules to put in place and easiest to control but may be less popular.

One option is to not enforce this rule unless there is a complaint. Then ask anglers to stop fishing

Covered if someone gets injured

2.  No Policy – Leave things the way they are.  No guidelines.  Post “No Fishing” signs were needed.  Allow people to fish from their own properties.

3.  Fishing from only Designated Ponds and certain areas of designated ponds. That means identifying what ponds and what areas of what ponds that would be available to fish.  This is critical for enjoyment of everyone in the community and the most problematic. 

1. We need to take into account the needs for: Fishing location determination (not where it interferes with golf, or key vista areas or important common areas, litter and trash control; parking control; access control; private property protection; catch and release requirements; potential snake, alligator & critter encounters
2. Informing the public of each specific pond they are allowed to fish and what ponds they are not allowed to fish.
3. Informing the residents of what are the common areas of each specific pond they are allowed to fish.
4. Liability issues - We will not want our Association to be held liable in any way, should someone be hurt, trespass or worse “eat and sue”. Posted signs will help with that but they also come at a cost.

With this in mind, if the board decides to go with option number three, the following guidelines are suggested.

Fishing within the limits of the boundaries of the King and Bear is considered to be a privilege.  Abuse of this privilege by any individual or group can result in the revocation of these privileges.   Abuse will be determined by a review of the recreation committee.  The board also has the right to close off access to fishing to any pond at any time if it deems necessary.

1.       Fishing is restricted to the shoreline of common areas of specific ponds and lakes within the community.

a.       specific guidelines for each pond’ common areas are attached

                                                               i.      Unsightly “No Fishing” signs and signs marking common areas are to be kept to a minimum or not posted at all

                                                             ii.      Specific details of Fishing Guidelines within the King and Bear along with maps of the common areas shall be posted on the King and Bear web site for which all residents have access to.

                                                            iii.      May management will also have copies to hand out if requested.

2.       Fishing is restricted to property owners and their families and guests only.  Guests must be accompanied by a property owner at all times.

3.       No commercial fishing is permitted.

4.       Any angler trespassing on any private property must have express permission from that property owner before venturing on to or crossing through that property.

5.       Catch and release must be practiced on any fish captured as many fish have specific usages’ to these ponds and lakes and are critical to a balanced eco system. ( i.e. Algae eating carp, etc.)

a.       Barbless hooks are recommended for ease of successful release.

b.      Artificial baits are suggested for use as live bait decreases the survival rate of released fish.

c.       No live bait should be introduced to any pond.

d.      No cleaning of fish or filleting of fish is allowed on any common or private property in the King and Bear.

6.       No litter shall be left from any fisherman.  All hooks, line, sinkers, bait, wrappers and any other waste material should be taken out of the area by the angler. Leave your area cleaner than you found it.

7.       Consumption of fish from any pond within King and Bear is not recommended.

8.       Fishing will be done at own risk knowing that other creatures are sharing these areas around water.  ( Alligators & Snakes)   Anglers should use extreme caution when fishing from any shoreline.

9.       The SMC-HOA will not be liable for any accident while fishing.  Anglers are fishing at their own risk.

10.   Fishing from boats of any kind is NOT permitted on any pond.

11.   Fishing licenses are required by the State of Florida and all fishing laws will be followed.

12.   Golf course lakes and ponds are NOT part of the King and Bear common lakes and ponds and do not allow fishing or boating of any kind. No one fishing shall trespass on any golf course property.

13.   Parking areas near these ponds are at a minimum.  Anglers will have to walk.

14.   Ponds that have no access to common areas are still available to property owners.

15.   Specific ponds within the King and Bear are listed below :  See Maps  -

a.       Bearsford   Lake one and Lake two only from common area splitting up two neighborhoods

b.      Kingsbury  Lake #3 from Common areas

c.       Waterbury   

                                                               i.      Lake #7 by circle at north entrance – common area by Gazebo

                                                             ii.      Lake #4 at Waterbury entrance – Common Areas

d.      Laterra    Along registry boulevard    Lake #11  ( same map as #4 )on common property only.  Beware of golf balls.

e.      Laterra Links Lake #9   No Fishing as it is completely enclosed in Laterra Links. Let them determine to allow fishing or not.

f.        Lake #13 – (Hole # 1 on Golf course) By the Windmill Circle - allow fishing at the common area of the north end of the pond and not at the south end by the circle. This would be a distraction to the golfers.

g.       Lake  #14 by Windmill Circle Common Areas

h.      Oakwood has no lake

i.         Lakewood has no access to pond common area – No Fishing other than property owners

j.        Wildwood      Lake has no access to common area so No Fishing on this pond other than property owners

k.       TuscanWood    Access through back area and FPL power lines.  There have been issues at this pond in the past.

l.         Grovewood  Lake #31 access through FPL power lines property & Tuscan wood circle-recent issues

                                                               i.      Lake # 31 area - A possible future project for a “Strategic Planning Committee”…

                                         ii.    Another approach would be to invest a little future funding and set up lake #31 (adjacent the power line, east of Grovewood) as the “neighborhood fishing and bird watching lake” – create a circular pathway around the bank perimeter – create access (cart/bike/walk) along the power line corridor – use for dog walking – fishing – bird watching – etc.

                                        iii.    Lake #31 is separate and apart from any golf, resident, privacy, roadway, traffic conflicts – and as such represents a potentially excellent opportunity to have a Neighborhood Fishing Pond.  It could be supplemented with a stocking program too. If desired and if the Association could get Game & Fish to participate.   -  Rick Pariani

Chas Stamm 

Jim Collingsworth

Recreation Committee

Greg Beemer

With help from Rick Pariani