Printable View
[QUOTE=restornator;487922]actually its a federal law. The US Gov. controls all navigable water ways. You would have to find out through the USGS which small rivers and creeks are listed as navigable.[/QUOTE]
Bet you a dollar you can't find that federal law. Elkhorn Creek here in Franklin County is a navigable waterway and the landowner actually owns the creek bed. You're allowed to float and portage a watercraft, but if you wade fish on the creek bed you're trespassing.
[QUOTE=jcb;487934]Bet you a dollar you can't find that federal law. Elkhorn Creek here in Franklin County is a navigable waterway and the landowner actually owns the creek bed. You're allowed to float and portage a watercraft, but if you wade fish on the creek bed you're trespassing.[/QUOTE]
^^^This! The landowners do own the stream bottom on many of our waterways. Elkhorn is a prime example and thi is why KDFWR negotiated some deals with landowners to allow access on parts of the stream. This is definitely not a Federal law. Out west, many of the better sections of famous trout rivers are private, you can float tough but you cannot set foot on the stream. Ted Turner owns several stretches of waterways out west. You can float through them and fish, but you better not get out of the boat.
Yes this is a fact in Ky. You can float it, but not wade it with out permission. You are allowed to portage the boat across obstructions or shallows, but must return to boat as soon as possible.
I've seen this discussion in Ohio too. I've come to the conclusion that the laws are written in a vague way so they can still bust you if they want. Kind of like the vague laws on the Alabama rig.