My first time Kayaking and this Kayak held strong. kzfaq.infoUgkx4k5UrhC3v_Y4hIEaXLGvHcN5a5aBmZNB The water got pretty rough as a speed boat zipped by me, and the Kayak withstood it (I expected to be capsized). The Ores are very easy to put together, the pump worked beautifully. the seats are a bit hard to sit in after a while (I recommend sitting on the floor). after reading the reviews I was very scared it'd get a hole in it, the material is very strong and durable. The Air valve may need a small Phillips head screwdriver to adjust, other than that, it's well worth the money!(update)I've gone Kayaking in 3 Lakes and 2 rivers totaling about 40 miles. the kayak had two holes and they patched easily and no other problems can't wait for kayaking season this year!

Navigable rivers in any of the original 13 colonys is defined by an ability to float logs and any useful craft. Including kayaks and canoes.

Imagine owning land up to the river in the middle of absolute nowhere and waiting for one guy to come down the river on a kayak just to yell at him.

I bet if someone got hurt and tried to sue him it wouldn't be his part of the river anymore 🤣

Good info John. I was hiking a new stretch of a creek this Saturday, and I was trying to find a way back to one of the roads, so I saw a guy out in his lot and I waved him down and ask if I could cut thru to get back to the a road, and he was super cool about it. He saw my camera, and we got to talking about YT, and he watches you and Pig Patrol. Super nice guy! I also packed out trash, so that will always win over a landowner. Be safe buddy.

Navigability is also defined in 33 CFR, Chapter II, Part 329 as "those waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. A determination of navigability, once made, applies laterally over the entire surface of the waterbody, and is not extinguished by later actions or events which impede or destroy navigable capacity." It further states that "Non-use in the past...does not prevent recognition of the potential for future use." Finally, the fact that you are engaged in making videos for which you earn money means you are engaging in interstate commerce, thus potentially making that river navigable under the law (only a judge can make the final determination). "Commerce" was never meant to be limited to hauling goods. Any state laws which run contrary to federal laws can be challenged as unconstitutional. The land owner can post "no fishing" signs all he wants, but he cannot enforce that upon people fishing from boats because he owns neither the water nor the things, like fish, in the water. Additionally, in Georgia, it is illegal to harass fishermen or prevent them from being able to lawfully take fish (Ga. Code Ann. § 27-3-151).

Here in Iowa we have a meandering stream law, so if you can float it with a kayak you can fish. The land owners own the land the state owns the water, as long as you're floating you can fish.

I feel your pain on this. I always hate when I finally snap at someone. But I’m glad it wasn’t any worse than it was.

If I understand Tennessee laws correctly as long as you can navigate the water and do not touch the bank or bed, you can travel and fish.

You handled this waaaay better than I would have. I’ve always been told no land owner owns the water that runs through it and only the land that meets the water. I’m in Indiana and this has always been the case and I’ve fished many creeks, rivers, ditches and have never had anyone telling me not to fish on “their side” while fishing and I’ve ran into many landowners. Now I have no idea what the state law reads but it’s just always been the “rule” between landowners and fishermen.

Anyone who thinks they can own a stream, regardless of laws, is the problem with the world.

You can change this law, but it will have to go through your legislation. Montana use to have the same law that the landowner owns to the middle of the stream. This changed when we passed the MT Stream Access Law. Now all streams, rivers, creeks are free access up to the "high water mark" or "flood mark".

I love it when there is a hatchery supported sign as well as a no trespassing sign on the same tree lol, I really like the fact my license fees are stocking the landowners private fishing hole 🙄

Sorry you ran into this, it has been an issue in GA for years, especially the Soquee River. If I owned that place you would be welcome to fish it.

John , A guided trip in Virginia there were signs about No Fishing, and the guide said to put your rods down in several places, that was back in the early '90s and the guide trip was $150.00 back then. The stream was 75 to 85 yards wide. If you can float it you should be able to fish it. Thanks for sharing the message and information. God Bless You. Tim L.

When people see your video and figure out the landowner's location, he's gonna have more trouble than just a little bit. You can almost bet he's gonna get challenged alot by anglers/kayakers/tubers etc. Best thing he can do is just leave it alone.

Drew Gregory is a pro kayak fisherman and he always says "they live in the current". That Striper blow up at the boat was crazy! 😂 I laughed.

I live on a river in Michigan. I thought our definition of navigable water is different. Maybe not. I just thought the river was the states and my property ends at its edge. And if you are in the water and not on land that's fine. I enjoy the canoeing and kayaking and love to talk and visit with all who come by. 👍🇺🇸🦈

NO ONE owns the "waters" in rivers like this, period. Here in Texas, due to laws dating back the the 1800's, there are three rivers where the landowner owns the river BOTTOM, but they don't own the water itself and cannot prevent floating vessels from navigating the waterway. You can't legally step out of your boat onto the riverbed, but as long as you're in the vessels, you're legal. And incidentally, on every other river/creek in Texas, you can legally boat, wade, walk, camp, etc. anywhere between the high water marks of the riverbed.

Love the video content. Caught 3 good sized smallies at my local lake. Just jigging 20 feet and nail them. Then ridiculous winds came and I didn't feel like anchoring in that.

would be happy to hear any thoughts on this video...

Aggravating that the laws can be murky like that but it happens in certain states. Love watching your videos! Got some Nikko stuff coming and can’t wait to get into a good bite.

The river I usually fish, there's a leeway, of 5 feet from the water- it doesn't matter who owns the land, as long as you are in the water, or walking within 5 feet of the water, the landowner can't run you off.

In Missouri they are viewed as public freeways and you can even get out and use the edge sand bars for camping, fishing, trapping ....as long as it is floatable water.

Man!! This was full of adventure!!! I also have had land owner bark at me… but mine was wading so they had a legitimate complaint… Also…. After seeing that big ol rainbow… im dying to fish that river!! 😂 not to mention knocking a shoal bass off my bucket list!! Great trip John!

As a Deputy Sheriff ( Now Retired ) in Central Florida I use to get calls from land owners wanting me to arrest fishermen for trespass. Especially ones up small canals for water front property that are used to access a main river. As long as the fisherman is in his boat he is not trespassing. The water and the fish in it belongs to the State of Florida. A land owner can own the land under the river but cannot own the water of fish in it. Trying to have some land Barons ( they thought they were ) understand that was a full time job.

Note: the definition of navigable river can vary by State. And also, in many cases, unless the property owner owns both sides, they do not own halfway. Very complicated.

Chestatee River. I've fished that loop off of Hwy 60 in Lumpkin more than a dozen times; live about 15 miles from there in Dawson. I have NEVER been approached by any landowner. FYI: The trout come down from Yahoola Creek and Lake Zwerner, where they are plentiful. The striper coming off Lanier will quickly take care of them though. Nice catches.

Woah ! That encounter was uncalled for, but it raises questions which help to educate us. I feel you handled it the best anyone could do under the circumstances. I'm not sure what the rule is in Kentucky, but now I must find out. Most people understand fishing and being outdoors, so not a problem. Please be safe. Randy B.

John, there is some federal defining language that also includes tidal influences. Back in the early 90's i was heavily involved in environmental regulatory consulting in Tennessee. At the time, it was widely held that any "blue line stream" on a USGS map was a navigable waterway. It would be awesome to do a video with an attorney that could hopefully clarify. Maybe TWRA would be willing to do a video with you..?? Thnx

Great information John, thanks for looking this up.

Don't be that person. Well stated. Great content as usual. Looking forward to wading and casting at a local stream soon myself. 💯

We deal with this a lot on the stocked trout streams here in Virginia. As land has changed hands things have gotten way worse.

I watched your video and your interpretation of what is considered waters of the State in Georgia. I have attached the law right here: I am an Engineer in Florida, and I frequently deal with waters of the State. There is nothing in this code which states how large the boats loaded with freight need to be. So a Jon Boat with a box of lures floating down the river is a transporting boat loaded with freight. Thus I believe you can argue that creek is condisered waters of the state, and in fact if that landowner tried to build a dock on that river, he would be denied. Thus he cannot stop you from fishing or traveling down that river. In florida that would certainly be waters of the state. Now a ditch which is dry most of the year is not waters of the state, but a river which runs all year long and in the rainy periods gets extremely powerful is waters of the state. 2010 Georgia Code TITLE 52 - WATERS OF THE STATE, PORTS, AND WATERCRAFT CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE 2 - RIGHT OF PASSAGE § 52-1-31 - Legislative findings and declaration of policy O.C.G.A. 52-1-31 (2010) 52-1-31. Legislative findings and declaration of policy The General Assembly finds and declares that by the common law the citizens of this state have an inherent right to use as highways all navigable streams and rivers which are capable of transporting boats loaded with freight in the regular course of trade either for the whole or part of the year and that this right of use extends to the entire surface of the stream or river from bank to bank. The General Assembly further finds that the common law regarding such right of use has not been modified by statute nor is it incompatible with the federal or state constitutions. Therefore, the General Assembly declares that ensuring the right of use by all the citizens of this state of navigable streams and rivers which are capable of transporting boats loaded with freight in the regular course of trade either for the whole or part of the year as highways has more than local significance, is of equal importance to all citizens of the state, is of state-wide concern, and, consequently, is properly a matter for regulation under the police powers of the state. The General Assembly further finds and declares that structures located upon navigable streams and rivers which are used as places of habitation, dwelling, sojournment, or residence interfere with the citizens' right to use the entire surface of such streams and rivers which are capable of transporting boats loaded with freight in the regular course of trade either for the whole or part of the year from bank to bank as highways and must be removed to ensure the rights of the citizens of this state to such usage. It is declared to be a policy of this state and the intent of this article to ensure such rights of the citizens of this state by authorizing the commissioner of natural resources to remove or require removal of certain structures from such streams and rivers which are capable of transporting boats loaded with freight in the regular course of trade either for the whole or part of the year in accordance with the procedures and within the timetable set forth in this article.

Excellent explanation of navigable water, etc...that situation in Tennessee you described applies to Little River in Townsend, after it flows out of GSMNP; the water is "public", but you can't wade in a lot of places because the riverbed is privately owned. We have a unique situation here in South Louisiana in regards to this; due to coastal erosion and subsidence, there are waterways that are currently very navigable, but at one time in the past MAY have been dry land, and some landowners have been VERY aggressive in asserting their property rights - there have been major bass tournaments in which anglers were confronted by sheriff's deputies in response to a complaint. What makes it worse is, in Louisiana, there is no requirement to post "No Trespassing" signs, so you can find yourself in a situation where you might go down a bayou or canal, not knowing it is considered private. There are some efforts in the legislature to address this - in the meantime, it's definitely hurting the recreational fishing industry here.

Im in GA and had the same problem game warden told the guy as long as we didn't enter through his property and we travelled through the water he couldn't do anything so i think you was in the right just don't take a break on his bank some people just don't have anything better to do but be pricks

Awesome video. This guy is just too controlling! Like you I didn't think the landowner's "owned" half the river. There will always be jerks in this world though - we have to be aware of that too!

Remember that, at the time, they used big canoe to transport goods. In fact it was the ONLY way to transport goods for many years.

Nice Trout and Shoal bass. Just go with the flow...A friend of mine has gotten yelled at for fishing docks from a boat on Lake Chickamauga. Thanks for sharing and have a Blessed Day.

Your camera placement and control is awesome John....it is really has gotten so much better as your channel has grown. Congrats!

This is why, as a kayak fisherman, I have such a difficult time finding new places to fish. Unless a body of water has a defined public access point I am reluctant to park and enter the waterway.

You’re an honest man! You’ve earned a new sub! I have respect for good people like yourself who can admit when they are in the wrong.

Wow ... plenty of comments on this video. I grew up fishing in TN and NEVER ran across this issue. When I retired and started researching fishing in GA, I ran across this issue and was quite surprised. It is very crazy, but you pretty much nailed your comments. I don’t have a barge and I’m shopping for my first kayak and I asked several semi-professional / very avid fishermen about any issues that they have had. They stated that they have only had issues with north GA (trout streams) property owners with their snooty / snotty attitudes. Thanks for your video and your legal research.

Great video. We just fished Mountaintown Creek in NE Ga. and it's almost 90% privately owned. I wondered at the time about the "do's and dont's" and now have a better idea watching your video.

I believe here in Missouri, people can fish anywhere on a stream, but if you go above the high water mark on the bank, you could be trespassing.

Water laws are always a little grey seems like, who knows. I think the biggest thing that gives clean fisherman a bad name is the trashy litterbug fisherman that has a party on the creek bank and leaves a mess behind.

I guess it comes down to what's navigable. I think if my kayak goes down it, it's navigable. I see what you're saying about the big boats with freight though. I think that's a stretch. It's a touchy situation. You're the man.

Best thing to do is be friendly and start on a good note with landowners, every once in a while you’ll get bank access with an offer of a few beers and fresh caught dinner

This really was crazy. I’m gonna have a whole video on this, and there is definitely a big push by some fisherman to change this law.

John, as an fisherman and a land owner on a stretch of the river, I see both points of view. I enjoy seeing people out enjoying the river kayaking and fishing and I talk to several as they come down. As a land owner and outdoors man, nothing infuriates me more than some one with no respect litters my property or decides my property would make a good restroom. Like you said, 99% of land owners are cool about the river and 99% of people using the river are cool. It’s that 1% that cause 100% of the problems. Thanks for your videos and the next time you are on the Hooch let me know.

Sorry you had to go through that. Hang in there, Brother John-Better days are a'comin'! Great video, and ya caught some really nice fish. That Shoal Bass sure was pretty-Almost looked like a Smallmouth Bass there at first, although the coloring was different. One other thing-I've known what it's like, to feel the shock of what you went through, when that big ole Striper hit, right beside your boat like that. I've had at least two occasions in my lifetime, where I had a rather nice-sized Bluegill on the line, had it up near shore...and then, all of a sudden, had a huge Largemouth Bass come right up behind it, and come so close to stealing the Bluegill off the hook, that I felt like a huge shock snap right through my body, like a big ole bolt of electricity!!! Scared the ante outta me...and, in both cases, I'm lucky I didn't "brown out" my underwear!!! Well...have a great night, and, by the way, that was a very fitting Bible Verse! God bless you and yours!

My dad took me fishing on the Sacramento river and streams like Battle Creek from the time could walk! We drift fished by William B Ide State park. And further up through China rapids to the Bend Bridge. Lots of great memories. Miss him every day!

This has been tried a few times in Georgia and so far it has held up in court. Pretty much unless a barge can go up and down it is non-navigable. Presently we have a fishing guide on a major river that has leased both sides of the river. and has therefore blocked fishing in the stretch of the river that he has leased. I have been begging our legislature to deal with this for years but they won't.

The landowner may have been right, but what’s the harm? Is he afraid that you’ll catch all the fish in that part of the river?😂😂😂

Enjoyed watching your adventure! Thanks for the video.

My son owns 2 acres in a neighborhood in south Louisiana. The first year he lived there he did not have a fence. He now has a farm fence around the whole property. One thing we learned you can forget it without a fence. Since the fence was put up he has had zero problems.

I feel like you can’t own the water in the river. Unless it’s a private lake/pond or unless you’re standing on their land I wonder why it wouldn’t be allowed…so the gallons of water running through are owned by that land owner for 15 seconds? Odd.

It's state specific. I've seen a few videos regarding this and it's all over the place. But a game warden made someone leave the river because they owned both sides of the river for a long stretch, the warden drove him away. Other video's the game warden told the land owners that they have no say as long as they are in the water and not on the physical land/bank. Check the state regulations before you go out. Same kind of crap happens with hunting laws. People will buy small plots with the only vehicle assess roads just to gate it so they have sole usage of the public land behind the entry point.

It's amazing because how could they own the water because it keeps moving. Hey great video. That's the first time I have ever heard of a Shoal Bass. Looks like a lot of fun to catch

Thanks for posting this. It's a big deal, and I'd love to see more discussion along these lines. Use of a "navigable" streambed is language that's pretty commonplace throughout the parts of the US that I've paddled. These laws are meant to keep rivers open for general public use. They are usually about as old as anything can be in the states and worded in terminology that harkens back to the times they were written. Calling something navigable for trade and movement of goods was created before people even thought of paddling/fishing as recreation. They defined the public value of waterways in terms they could envision at the time. It's also worth noting that, carrying goods at the time many of those laws were written could have meant a bushel of corn or a stack of beaver pelts in a canoe. So, I would definitely hesitate to say that those streams aren't navigable because they can't handle barges and modern commercial shipping vessels. That's a huge stretch in the interpretation of the law in my opinion. I definitely am glad this stuff gets posted. Thanks for the commentary. I'd love to know where you found the definition of navigable relating it to the movement of trade goods. Was that written right into the same Georgia law as a footnote?

The law in NC is "historically navigable water" which is pretty much anything but the very small trout streams in the mountains. I suspect you were in the right unless GA law is substantially different. Many landowners can be nasty and ill informed. I know from personal experience.

After watching the whole video I was wrong and learned something new but if someone owns property on both sides of a creek or stream then the law should require they put up a fence.

Really like how you keep these vids coming and don't make us wait lol

Freight sounds like heavy cargo based on our modern understanding of shipping vessels, but originally trappers and merchants were floating goods using rafts made from lashed together timber.

John, I was always taught that when you are in a river or creek, as long as you do not get out of the boat where you are touching the bottom, you can navigate within the waterway downstream with the flow of the water. The logic of this being that the water was not owned by the owner of the land where the water entered his property, even if he owns both side of the stream. By law, the landowner has to allow for the free flowing of the water through his land. That means anything in it. That is what I always would go by and I would just notify the landowner that I was not stopping and moving with the water further on downstream. Ultimately, I know you have carried a handgun when fishing or at least packed one. That and the camera mounted on your kayak and your chest are the two best things to have, along with the gun should you ever be pressed into a dangerous situation....but...deflecting any tension, that is what I would have done, notified the landowner that I was indeed transitory and left it at that, without casting.

There are some crazy laws and I know they vary from state to state but that landowner is just greedy I own a stream that I fish myself and it's open to anybody that wants to float through we're way through I would never stop a fisherman but people are crazy I'm feel intiteled wish there was a way we could band together as fisherman and get some of those outdated laws changed

Good info, most wouldn't assume that. Very interesting. In California I don't think it's like that but yeah, crazy.....

Kayaking, fishing, wading in water...you just had a day in heaven.

Welcome to Ga John!! The landowners in ga actually do own the stream bed. Its been going on for years on the Flint. It’s finally came to a head since a new guide service on tbe flint id trying to enforce it. Pardon my french but this os bullshit!! A free flowing stream with public access points should not be policed by landowners.

To everyone That’s struggling in life: everything will be okay 😄 you mean the world to people and you are Amazing no matter what people say 🙏🏼😚

I just floated this stretch on Sunday. I didn’t see these signs and lucky didn’t run into that guy. But glad to know the rules. Thanks man.

Nice video man love your videos keep up the good work and that sucks that you couldn't fish in that one stretch of the river

This happens in Florida too. People are just ignorant sometimes.

Sounds to me like some laws need to be changed/updated. I understand and respect private property but lakes, rivers, and streams should be open to the public as long as they're not causing any harm.

Just came across this, but i had similar situation with worse outcome. I was in North GA fishing about 20 years ago, came across a chain hung across the river that said no fishing or no trespassing, cant remember now. Pretty big river and we entered it on foot at a public fishing area near a bridge. Started walking upstream and when we saw it, we recorded it, went back and spoke with a sheriff who said don't worry about it. Just there to keep the tourists and stuff away probably. Was a sunday and no one at Department of Natural Resourxes/Game Wardens answered. Next day, me, my brother and friend go past the sign fishing. At a point we see a lodge, as I am hooked into a montmster trout, a guy tries to cut my line and yelling at us. I landed my trophy trout after going to deeper water to get away from guy. We told the guy to call the game warden or sheriff. We would walk back and to be public bridge we came in the water at, never stepped on shore. We are met at the bridge by an Angry Ted Turner, screaming and yelling at us from a short distance. We tell him we spoke to sheriff who said it is okay. Game wardens come and are understanding. Ted must have called the Govenor or some other contacts about the 3 kids who must be on the top 10 fbi most wanted because gane wardens were there a minute after we got to the bridge and figured out the crazy guy yelling at us was Ted Turner. Said it could be worse had it got physical, which it would have had the guy from earlier cut my line, that guy was not Ted Turner. Game wardens say they have to give us a ticket because it is Ted Turner. Mentions the part about navigable waters, as I claim I can get a boat down it, but that doesn't matter. The one part in the regulations states something like it is up to you to know if you have permission to fish or something like that. They said if it wasn't Ted Turner who either owned the lodge or was friends with the owner, they wouldn't have ticketed us and gave us warning, but we each got a fishing without permissin ticket. Really turned me off to trout fishing northern Georgia. They altered the streams and rivers there. Those trophy trout were crushing our little phoebes, but they are there not for the public. They are there for someone to pay 3000 plus, stay at a lodge, and fly fish with a guide what is basically a bass pro tank with trout. The only good thing is some of large trout will move, but the streams, creeks, and rivers are altered in a way to make their areas the optimal trout grounds. They probably even feed them to fatten them up and keep them their for the paying fly fisherman. It's definitely true fly fishing or fishing at all and that began my hatred for everything Ted Turner, TBS, and the Atlanta Braves. Making Game Wardens give 3 kids tickets, even though a Sheriff was mistaken and we tried to do the right thing. Rediculous, but that is the life of the rich. Best part actually was us 3 kids crushing the trout while the fully decked out fly fisherman we passed and the one with the guide who tried to cut my line weren't hooking into anything anytime we watched them. Of course, we did not disturb anyone's fishing.

I agree with you John I dealt with this my whole life and especially more recently and it's really upsetting disturbing that people can control a natural flow of water I've even seen them with electrical fences to keep their cows in strung across the river or creek to me that's way to far Our world is changing not for the better when I was a kid it was never a problem and I said this before usually I could approach somebody and just a nod saying I want to go fishing because he saw the fishing rod in your hand and it was always okay I don't remember anybody getting mad or saying you can't fish the water Somebody said to me once like they did in Texas a long time ago damned up the places so they could own all of water and control the population on cattle and whether they're cattle brought more money or not it seems to me that that was wrong and it was always fights over but to say anybody owns that water then That's just wrong for the rights to it God didn't make it like that man made it like that And I'm sorry I'm long-winded that this is always been a sore subject for me and I've got it into heated arguments with people then to find out I was wrong like you did having apologized to them later but still maintaining that it wasn't right agreed to disagree It's just tough for me to understand I know it is for you too what are you going to do try to own the fish next and you can't take them out of the river I don't know I don't know God bless you John I know the frustration so well just pray about it let God handle it I hope this was clear I was feeling anger and frustration when I was doing it so excuse me if the thoughts not fluent

Delt with issues like this before, just keep on fishing. Let them call the cops and waste there time.

I understand that you’ve found that piece of legislature that reads that way but I want to say there is more to it. If that’s the case then all of our beloved tubing, kayaking, and trout rivers could be off limits. Good luck on clarifying my friend!

In Pa . it’s mostly any stream that was used for commerce dating back to the Country’s origin . Floating over private property is permissible and a declared navigable stream can be waded up to the high water mark on the stream.

No John you were initially right and what you are saying afterwards is absolutely wrong on this. Your definition of navigable waters was not the lawful definition which is where you went wrong on this. I live in a different state than you but stuff like this is actually on a federal level to protect waterways. You were on navigable water that you were able to float to which makes it navigable for all people and no one can own the water, honestly dude even after researching I can't believe that you even said that and no he could not put up a fence across the water which is complete insanity. Trust me John if people could put up fences across rivers then you would've seen it already but it doesn't exist because its not lawful. You need to find the real laws and the real definitions by law and make another video correcting everything you've said here. This is how this stuff works. Sometimes because of water fluctuations people own property into bodies of water, this does not mean that you can't fish there or that you can't cannot walk in that area, what it means is when water is covering that area then it belongs to the river for public use, but if the water ever lowered then you could not walk on it because it would be called private property but you could still pass through. They own whatever becomes exposed unless there property line specifically stops at the waters edge. You have got this all wrong and mixed up. People cannot own water or land under water in navigable zones which you are actually navigating with a water craft. This concept is a major problem in the world and the guy yelling at you is either extremely confused or else he even knows and he's jerking your chain which a lot of them like to do especially when their property lines do go through the water. Please stop spreading this false rhetoric dude it is so hurtful to people and you've energized morons everywhere with what you just said.

That was a great video all away around, Good job!

In Wisconsin, navigable water way mean any water way that is mapped and can be used to navigate on or off land. And if it runs to close to your property the DNR restricts what you can do within 100 yards of it. Yes even on your own land. My Dad wanted to put a pond in the front area of the property but the DNR said it was too close to a ditch /stream fifty yards out of our driveway. He had to have it dug an additional 69 yards on the other side of the barn.

I live in Minnesota and the rivers and creeks are open to the public if you access it from a public access or even from a road bridge on the road right of way. You can even drop a small boat canoe or kayak from bridge crossing as long as you don't tear it up, and just go about your Merry way while respecting the shoreline. That's normally a nogo zone. If you need to get out and stretch on dry land do it at road bridges when in doubt. Can't say I've seen many no trespassing from the waterways but they do pop up occasionally. If you have a big boat on a trailer you use public access or private ones with permission. Nice video great scenery and a good days catch. Love to see you guys catch and releasing the trout. That's my norm except if I'm fish hungry I will keep a couple smaller ones. 👍

Hi John, I would not call that an angry response. Thanks for taking the time to look up and explain. Weird that the state stocks water that the citizens can't fish. By the same token My Opinion is that the "Kayak" and Raft services are becoming a nuisance in many areas. I'm on the Gulf Coast (saltwater) and I'm a kayaker. Kayak rental companies will come in and launch literally dozens of kayaks in a morning. The last time I visited a state park kayak launch there were 26 kayaks on the bank. This effectively blocks any other individuals from using the area. Their trailers are loaded with 6 and more kayaks each and they have multiple trailers and trucks. Clearly its an issue. I believe using public ramps and facilities to support a "Business" is a bad move. If I'm an individual guide launching 1 boat or 2 kayaks that's one thing. IF I'm a services launching 6, 8, 12 or more along with the additional cars and gear, that's another. Between Hotels, restaurants, businesses and land owners, access to water is becoming impossible in many states. JMO. I also believe that thinking the laws will change to protect our right to fish un-navigable waters is just a dream. Will be a day when we can't access water without payment.

So jealous of the water you’re on. Trouts, basses and Stripers oh my!

Those were some amazing fish that you guys caught. Good info to remember for others.

Great Info, John. This is a similar situation in Texas.

In Wisconsin navigable waters is defined as water that can be traversed at some point in the year with a small water craft. It is crazy that you need a wide and deep river in Georgia.

Another crazy “Ken!” I’ve been curious regarding this as I’ve watched your program over the years. In Texas it is even different than you mention here.

Very good information which have dealt with some, because I fish a lot of creeks and streams in GA, for I live in Columbus GA close to the Chattanooga River. I had only one experience with a land owner, who was totally cool actually. You could fish through his property as long as you didn't leave any trash on the bank. If you snagged a lure for example, he wanted you retrieve that lure and not leave it on his property. I guess this had been a problem in the past.

I look forward to Aaron's video on this law. I could tell that many here are confusing laws governing rivers and lakes. That will be a good video that all of us need to watch and learn from. States have different laws concerning property rights and Texas has some stern ones. It's serious business here in Texas and wars have been fought over water rights here and in New Mexico. Talk to your local fish and game department before you just assume what you've always believed, was actually right. Great video, as always!

One of your best videos for both the fishing and education. Appreciate you taking the high road and being honest but I’m not sure I feel the same about the land owner. I’m guessing he’s had some bad experiences with rowdy kayakers but people that fish are the best folks I know

I have a cottage with bass and pike in the shallows and speckled and lake trout 80 feet deep. One weekend a friend of mine and I caught over 200 bass just off my warf when we weren't in the boat.

Great video and thanks for the research 👍🎣

It's not just relative to navigateable waters. Many rivers in Georgia are owned by power companies or Army Core, even 75 beyond the bank. It depends on the river or creek and what the land owners deed says or what a title search can prove in court.

John that was a great video and I didn't say it at the end of my comments and I'm sorry another great job and it prompted a lot of responses some I agree with some I don't but that's the world he got people thinking he got people providing information and that's what it's all about communication thanks again God bless you all

In my state (Minnesota) If you can float a boat in the stream, lake, etc., The waters are public and private property ends at the waters edge.

Agreed, " don't be an idiot" wish more people would abide by that little statement. keep the great videos coming Jim

Nice shirt ! the design of the letter C is cool using the hook 👌🏼

in some states if you can float a log large enough to lumber it's navigateable. in others if its deep enough for commerce, and a canoe or kayak rental business is commerce.