Private Water Fishing Conduct and Club Regulations ensure that every member enjoys the benefits of the Club waters. All members agree to comply with these conduct rules and regulations when they sign their Membership Agreement. Failure to adhere to the following regulations can result in membership termination and, in the case of trespass, criminal prosecution.

FISHING BY ADVANCED RESERVATION ONLY Members must use the online reservation system or, contact the Club Office to reserve a site before fishing. In most cases reservations need only be made 24 hours in advance. Reservations may be requested with less than 24 hour notice, but availability may be limited (See cancellation policy below). At the time of reservation, the member will receive an email confirmation and confirmation number. This confirmation identifies Private Water Fishing members to the landowner and verifies their right to enter Club sites. The Club reservation policy ensures a quality experience for all our members. Any person on Club sites without a valid reservation and authorization number will be guilty of trespass and will be subject to criminal prosecution. Entering Club sites without a valid reservation and authorization number is also grounds for membership termination. The membership initiation fee will not be refunded.

RESERVATION TIME FRAMES Members may reserve a lake for a full day, 1/2 day AM or 1/2 day PM. A full day reservation is sunrise to sunset, 1/2 day AM is sunrise to noon, and 1/2 day PM is noon to sunset. If you are on a club property outside of the time frame of your reservation, you are considered to be trespassing and will be subject to criminal prosecution. Entering Club sites outside of the time frame of your reservation, or without a valid reservation and authorization number, is also grounds for membership termination. The membership initiation fee will not be refunded. Absolutely no night fishing is allowed.

RESERVATION CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION Cancellations made more than 72 hours before the start of the reservation will be billed a $20 cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 72 hours of the start of the reservation will be billed 50% of the reservation total. Cancellations within 24 hours of the start of the reservation will be billed 100% of the reservation total. Modifications of DATE within 72 hours will be billed at 50%, and modification of DATE within 24 hours will be billed at 100% of reservation total. This total will be listed on the reservation as a “Modification Fee.” Modifying any aspect of a reservation other than the DATE will NOT result in a modification fee.

WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATION Members may cancel within 72 hours of a reservation at no charge when weather is an issue. Winds greater than 20 MPH, gusting winds greater than 30 MPH, heavy rain, and thunderstorms are considered grounds for weather related cancellation. Rain/Wind meeting these requirements for 2 or more hours during a half day reservation, or 4 or more hours during a full day reservation will result in no cancellation fee being charged. This must be substantiated through weather.com

MINORS All minors, (children 18 and under), must be accompanied by an adult MEMBER (25 years and older) when visiting Club sites. One adult MEMBER must accompany every two minors at all times.

FIREARMS Absolutely no firearms will be allowed on any Club site.

ALCOHOL Alcohol policies vary from site to site. Some sites allow no alcohol use due to the owner’s request.

GATES Many of our properties have gates. Gates are used to keep trespassers out and cattle in. In some cases, our properties have cross fencing, which means there may be gates within the ranch and not just the initial front gate.  ALL gates must be left the way you found them. Locked gates should be locked behind you. Open gates may be left open, and closed gates should be closed behind you. Even if you don't see cows in the pasture, it does not mean you may leave a closed gate open. When in doubt close the gate.

LITTER All litter and trash must be handled on a pack in - pack out basis, which means everything you take on a site must be removed when you leave. Be sure to pack garbage bags and use them accordingly. The next member to visit a site should find it as clean as you did. If you ever arrive at a site with litter, call the Reservation Office as soon as possible. We will know who reserved the site last. We will investigate and arrange a clean-up. Those who litter will be fined.

CATCH AND RELEASE POLICY Catch and release is not just a good idea, it is mandatory for Club membership. Catch and release ensures a plentiful, healthy bass population for all Club members to enjoy. If you land a trophy bass while on club waters, feel free to take a photo before releasing it. Be sure to send a copy of the photo along with the weight and length to the Reservation Office for inclusion in our membership newsletter. On some properties, we require the removal of small bass under a certain slot limit. Information on harvest requirements, if applicable, can be found in the "Requirements" section of each property's web page. No bluegill or other sunfish should be removed from any Club lake. 

LURES AND FLIES ONLY In keeping with the catch and release policy, only lures, artificial bait, and flies are allowed. Live bait is prohibited. The use of barbless hooks is strongly encouraged.

CROPS AND LIVESTOCK Many of our sites are located on farm and grazing land. It is extremely important that all gates are closed when entering and leaving all Club sites. Please leave all gates as you find them (closed gates stay closed, open gates stay open, locked gates stay locked). Do not approach any livestock that may be in the site area. Supervise children and instruct them to stay away from livestock. Be aware of crops. Stick to the paths on the maps provided and camp only in designated camping areas. Pets are not allowed on fishing reservations.

NO HARM OF WILDLIFE Absolutely no hunting privileges are included in Club membership. There will be no harm or killing of wildlife of any type, including turtles, frogs, snakes, spiders, etc. Failure to comply with this rule will result in immediate membership termination.

LEAVE SITES INTACT Many Club sites have been selected for their scenic beauty. To preserve them for all members to enjoy, absolutely nothing is to be taken away from any Club site. Please do not remove rocks, foliage or wood from the site. All arrowheads, pottery shards, and old buildings which may be on the site are the property of the landowner and are not to be removed from the site for any reason.

CAMPING AND CAMP FIRES Camping is prohibited on Club sites unless specifically allowed in the individual site entry. Where overnight camping is permitted, some camping areas are generally unimproved- without electrical hook-up's or running water. Absolutely no camp fires are allowed on any Club sites. Members are welcome to use gas grills or Coleman stoves.

SANITATION FACILITIES Sanitation facilities vary from site to site. As some properties also support hunting leases, hiking trails and camping areas, please do not use the area indiscriminately. On all sites proper wilderness sanitation disposal must be practiced. All human waste and toilet paper should be removed from the property, or buried away from any buildings or structures (boat ramps, sheds, barns, etc.) at least 6" below ground level.

GUEST POLICY Private Water Fishing welcomes guest anglers when accompanied by an active club member. Guest Membership Agreements can be found at the bottom of our home page of our web site. The Guest Membership Agreement must be completed and submitted to the Reservation Office prior to the date of the trip. The Guest Membership Agreement will inform members and guests of Club conduct and regulations. In addition to the day fishing rate, guests must pay an additional $25.00 to fish Club waters. Active members may bring as many guests as they would like but no one guest may visit more than three times in one year.

SITES ARE PATROLLED Club security and landowners will check to make sure that the only subjects on the property are members and guests whom are listed on a valid reservation. Failure to comply with this will result in immediate expulsion from the site. Using the site without a valid reservation is considered trespassing and will expose the violator to criminal prosecution.

RESPECT SITE PROPERTY Members and guests agree to respect all rights of the landowners who are allowing us to use their land and fish their waters. Members will be personally responsible for any damage caused to the property during their visit to the site.

MEMBERSHIP CONDUCT AND REGULATION CHANGES Private Water Fishing reserves the right to change any of its membership conduct and regulations with written notice to the membership. Publication in the newsletter will be deemed adequate written notice.

MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION Private Water Fishing reserves the right to terminate the membership of any member without stated reason, by notifying the member of the termination in writing. If membership termination occurs, the Membership Initiation Fee may not be refunded.