Fishing within Gatewood

Every year as the days begin to warm, we need to remind all residents of the fishing policies within the community. Houses that are located around the smaller ponds have property ownership that extends out to the middle of the ponds. As a result, fishing is not allowed in these ponds unless you are fishing with one of these property owners on their property. Community fishing is allowed on several sections of common parcels owned by the association. These are all located on the large two lakes. Maps are available in the Clubhouse which depict where these locations are located. Homeowners may access the two large lakes for fishing from common areas. For the big lake the common areas are located on Brookfield Drive by the gazebo, the common areas behind the clubhouse, and off the large pier on Gatewood Drive. On the smaller lake, the common areas are the flat grassy area below the Gatewood Drive dam and along the edge of the Tall Pines Trail dam on both sides of the small pier.

Most will remember a few years ago both lakes were emptied to repair the dams releasing most of the fish. In an effort to bring back the fish population we would appreciate all residents to abide by a “catch and release” program in both larger ponds. Right now, the fish are spawning so not releasing them could decrease the effectiveness of their spawn. Stocking these ponds is very costly and we would like to decrease or eliminate this.

A concerted effort is going to be made to deter trespassing and unauthorized fishing. Trespassers will be warned at the first incident and will be prosecuted for additional incidents. Please call our Courtesy Officer Chris Maxie, 993-1259, or the sheriff’s office, 942-8600. Please remember that just as a member must accompany a guest to the tennis courts and the pool, guests must also be accompanied by a homeowner when fishing.