Submerging structure in public waters

[huntinfool]

My dad and I were talking about it the other day. We hear people all the time talking about sinking some structure and fishing it later. They talk about how they have done it for years.

The question is, is it legal?

We've tried looking it up, but not finding any documents to back it up. Can anyone do it, anytime, anywhere? Are there any limitations?


Any help would be appreciated.

[BTLowry]

From what I know it is legal, was told on Fork that it had to be natural stuff (brush) and that no pvc piles were allowed (per GW) but don't know if that is law or just his interpretation

I would find out who manages water body you are interested in and call them (ie COE, water district or local munincipality) and see what they say.

We do some of our more public water/places in stealth mode (ie dark or mid week) to keep the pot lickers from knowing where we are putting them
Yes there are people who will watch you sink stuff and then idle over and mark it on their GPS as soon as you move off

[scott.str]

I think it would be classified as dumping and your not allowed to do that. Also depends on what cover could get in trouble for contamination. But most the time no one notices as your putting brush away from the main boating locations.

But hey no one is supposed to know where your special brush pile is anyways so don't see how you would get caught.

[Wits_End]

Your not going to find a rule or law about it on most lakes and definitely not going to get law enforcement to agree to it, mainly because it likely would fall under the littering side. However, if you watch around you see hundred of pictures of guys dropping brush into the lake with concrete blocks and have been for years and years. They do it in the daytime, nighttime all throughout the week.
Last I heard, lakes like Lavon allow it as long as you call the office and I believe you need to get a permit. I doubt the majority of those dropping brush actually go through with getting a permit.

You sink a few brush piles, I'm sure its no biggie. You try to sink a tire or trash, I bet you'll have everyone from the bottom to the top on you.

[BrandonH]

Every body of water is different. Below was copy and pasted from a discussion on another forum...this gentleman called last week regarding Lake Conroe.




So I just got off the phone with SJRA (this is for LAKE CONROE only!). The gentleman I spoke to said this

"There is no official (or un-official) approval or permit needed to sink brush in Lake Conroe. There used to be, but it was too much of a hassle. Having said that, we would still like each person to call us and at a minimum get a verbal approval. What we would really like is to see a example of what you want to sink. Preferred method is to bring it up to SJRA for a visual inspection once you have called us and set up an appointment. So the procedure would be to 1. Construct your example (5 to 8ft tall max) 2. Call SJRA at 936-588-1111and explain you want to sink brush and was aked to speak to someone. 3. SJRA will call you back and tell you when to come up to see the example OR give you an e-mail address so you can send a picture. 4. Get verbal agreement or perhaps a written agreement, so that the Constables don't ticket you for "dumping refuse" in the lake. 5. Sink your piles in at least 20ft of water.
So, it looks like I stand corrected - no permit is required! The meeting and verbal agreement is just to protect you from the Constable's office issuing a citation.

[Hunterdan]

It is ILLEGAL on Lake Houston because it is used as a public drinking supply for The City of Houston and Galveston. They consider it dumping and you will be fined if they catch you. I'm not saying it does not happen under the cover of darkness every year.

[In-Yo-Grill]

I wonder is these same rules apply to the Texas coast. I've though about sinking some brush piles to create my own structure in the past.

[CEO]

Back in high school my buddy's dad would get loads of old Christmas trees and dump them in Lake Conroe. They had some productive spots.

[dphillips62]

check with these guys. they will know or send you in the right direction.

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/

i doubt it is legal though County Fire Marshal or Health Dept may know as well since they usually handle illegal dumping.

[Jaybo31]

Every body of water is different. Below was copy and pasted from a discussion on another forum...this gentleman called last week regarding Lake Conroe.




So I just got off the phone with SJRA (this is for LAKE CONROE only!). The gentleman I spoke to said this

"There is no official (or un-official) approval or permit needed to sink brush in Lake Conroe. There used to be, but it was too much of a hassle. Having said that, we would still like each person to call us and at a minimum get a verbal approval. What we would really like is to see a example of what you want to sink. Preferred method is to bring it up to SJRA for a visual inspection once you have called us and set up an appointment. So the procedure would be to 1. Construct your example (5 to 8ft tall max) 2. Call SJRA at 936-588-1111and explain you want to sink brush and was aked to speak to someone. 3. SJRA will call you back and tell you when to come up to see the example OR give you an e-mail address so you can send a picture. 4. Get verbal agreement or perhaps a written agreement, so that the Constables don't ticket you for "dumping refuse" in the lake. 5. Sink your piles in at least 20ft of water.
So, it looks like I stand corrected - no permit is required! The meeting and verbal agreement is just to protect you from the Constable's office issuing a citation.

Yep. Theyve changed it a little. Last time you had to provide GPS location

Every lake is different. Ive done it for years on Conroe. Pretty much common sense, dont dump trash(tires, metal etc) do it either at night or on a cold nasty day and dont put it to where it could become a boating hazard if the lake drops. They really dont mess with you about it. The SJRA will tell you you have to do all that nonsense above but the law enforcement has other things to worry about besides a guy dropping a few brush piles in the lake.

[DRT]

You must check with the governing entity of the body of water in question. If there is an ordinance against it you can be fined and forced to remove the debris.

[justincorbell]

Ive sunk more crappie holes than I can count on rayburn and never had the first issue with doing it other than other fishermen trying to mark my spots.......I used to wait til after dark to sink them but now that I got a fancy new humminbird depthfinder I dont sink near as many holes and it is alot more enjoyable to ease thru a cove with a beer in hand and the radio on marking new spots as I see em!

[ultralite09]

Had a game warden tell me it was perfectly fine as long as it wasn't near the dam and I've also had another tell me no it wasn't allowed.

Called the first GW to check with him again at the COE office and they said go ahead..... so I've been dumping about 20 to 30 christmas trees every january in my favorite lakes

The fishing is excellent

[Killer]

Ive sunk more crappie holes than I can count on rayburn and never had the first issue with doing it other than other fishermen trying to mark my spots.......I used to wait til after dark to sink them but now that I got a fancy new humminbird depthfinder I dont sink near as many holes and it is alot more enjoyable to ease thru a cove with a beer in hand and the radio on marking new spots as I see em!

this made me laugh