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RALEIGH, N.C. (Mar. 19)—Fisheries biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are working with private landowners to preserve public fishing access in trout streams flowing through privately owned lands. As part of an initiative to prevent the loss of additional public access to trout streams, cooperating landowners have granted the Commission permission to post signs marked “Public Access for Fishing Only.” The signs, posted at popular entry points along accessible streams, remind anglers to act responsibly when fishing on privately owned lands, according to Mallory Martin, mountain region fisheries supervisor for the Commission. "Some streams are considered to be public property due to their size, or because they flow through public lands. However, many mountain trout streams are considered privately owned,” Martin said. “The public gets to fish in these streams only because the landowners generously grant access privileges for fishing. Unfortunately, access to many streams is being lost due to the inconsiderate actions of anglers." Anglers can help prevent the further closure of additional streams by showing more respect for landowners who provide fishing opportunities. “Whenever anglers are fishing on private property, they should properly dispose of trash and litter, park only in designated areas, close gates and avoid blocking driveways,” Martin said. “Likewise, hunting, camping, picnicking and activities other than fishing are not allowed unless permission is granted by the landowner.” While North Carolina boasts more streams capable of supporting brook, brown and rainbow trout than any other state in the southeastern United States, trout fishing opportunities have diminished over the last few years as more and more privately owned lands are closed to public access. “The rate at which public access is being lost to accessible trout streams has increased in recent years,” Martin said. “Between 1993 and 2001, 16 streams on private lands were removed from the Commission trout management program when landowners denied public access by posting ‘No trespassing’ signs.” Currently, about 40 percent of the 2,000 miles of publicly accessible trout streams are located on private lands. As a result, public fishing opportunities on approximately 800 miles of North Carolina trout waters are dependent on the willingness of private landowners to continue allowing public access to those waters. “Anglers can do their part to help preserve trout fishing opportunities in the future,” Martin said. “Responsible anglers always respect the land, whether it is public or private, and they’re careful to leave it the way they found it for other anglers and visitors to enjoy.” See more information on the Commission's trout management program or Public Fishing Areas in North Carolina. |
