I may be mistaken but I remember it at follows-- A pond on someones property belongs to the property owner and they have the right to allow or now allow pubplic access. A continual creek or stream (Elkhorn or Stoner)is governed by either State Or Federal Juridiction and you can fish it by watercraft or wading as long as you enter from a public access site and would only need property owner permission if you enter onto his property from the creek itself or access the creek through his property. Some Lakes have a easement of so many feet that enables people to fish them from the bank, but I don't know if this applies to streams and creeks. Don't quote me on facts, this is how it was explained to me by a F&W person years ago.