Posted by CJV66 from 205.188.193.169 on August 30, 2000 at 16:05:20:
In Reply to: Re: A little help please? posted by perchmann on August 30, 2000 at 05:44:50:
: : : : Ok, here's the deal, yesterday I scouted out Burnham Harbor for some fishing spots. I asked around, I was told people just fish off the sides around the park between the Aquarium and the Planetarium. I even asked a cop who was patroling the area about fishing there, and he told me that fishing wasn't allowed in the lake. I informed him that I called the park district and was told that fishing was allowed, he came back to tell me that I'd need to have it in writing that I'm allow to fish there. Anyway I saw some guys fishing so I decided to fish there, what the hell, I caught a couple small bass and a crappie, nothing to write home about. I looked over at the harbor proper and saw a sign that said no fishing. So I guess I'm a little confused where should I be fishing that's completely legal. Or can I fish anywhere and that cop just wasn't to bright, for lack of a less politically correct term. Hey Bob the Fishin Guy, wanna help me out? Or anyone else for that matter?
: : : : Oh by the way, that cop, the not so bright one, wrote me a 50.00 ticket for not being out of the park by 11:00. He handed me the ticket as I was packing up my car. Go figure...
: : : :
: : : : Happy Fishing Buddies
: : : Imagine the Harbor as a great big parking lot, filled with very expensive vehicles, imagine you own one of those vehicles parked there (and pay a LOT of $$$$ to do so), now imagine a bunch of little kids playing in around YOUR vehicle, they aren't trying to hurt anyone or anything but accidents do happen, and they have, many times, I know it's a pretty weak analogy but thats just about the way it is! The "Snaggers" (with their 50 LB line & an ounce & 1/2 of lead) have done serious damage to some very high priced boats over the years and put ALL fisherman in a bad light in the eyes of those who control what does or doesn't happen the harbor,And that is why fisherman are not very welcomed in the harbors,I know it sucks, & there should be a place (actually many places) where shore fisherman could go & wet a line without fear of parking problems, or trespassing problems, or gangbanger problems, or harassment from Chicago's finest or any of the other problems that prevent us from fishing Chicago's shoreline. But alas ... there are but a few, & they aren't the best places to fish, i.e., Burnham harbor handicap pier (don't forget to bring your handicap placard for your car) & Navy pier (but you have to be out at like 9:00 AM or there about) The fact is the city don't care that you cant find a place to fish because they really don't want you there in the first place! you spoil the view, & stick up the area with the smell of dirty old fish! they would much prefer you play tennis, or bike, or rollerblade, or play golf, or some other "civilized" activity, I mean...this is the "New Millennium" after all!
: : : perchmann (don't shoot the messenger)
: : Imagine this, you live in the city all your life. You pay chicago city taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, city stickers, etc....... The majority of these boat owners do not even live in the city of Chicago. Therefore they are only paying for the rental on there dock. It's really frustrating that at times we can actually think this lakefront usage is fair. I live in the city, I pay the taxes on the parks and lakefront. There are a lot more fisherman than there are boat owners. We pay a lot of taxes. The hell with the boat owners!
: : As far as the ticket goes,just show up, they usually throw those cases out.
: : CJV66
: Now imagine this ... those boat owners pay 2-3 even 4 times the average Chicago property tax bill to keep their boats (some of which cost millions of dollars) in those "PARKING LOTS," they are very well represented & ORGANIZED! When the complaints come in to City Hall, who's voice do you think will be heard the loudest? a few hard working, tax paying, middle class local citizens, or the few "Representatives" of the several thousand (very wealthy) Doctors, Lawyers, Corporate Heads, Industrial leaders, Local Businessmen & politically connected Fat-Cats that pay thousands of dollars per year to moor their vessels in our fair city's harbors? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out! If you want your voice heard ... join a group that has YOUR best interests at heart, in this case I would have to say "Perch America" Dues are cheap & they are the only folks I'm aware of that are doing anything for the Lake Michigan shore fisherman's rights.
: perchmann
Perchman,
My comments are to try and get more fisherman together to help fight to keep what we have left, and possibly get a little more access. We do not need to scare some of the few fisherman that fish from shore away,because there is sparse access. As for Perch America, I've been on the board of directors for 5 years now. I'm also involved in trying to get more access through Westtrek & the park district. Not all of us have boats like yourself,some of us need to keep the access we got. By the way the revenues that come in from Fishing licenses, tackle sales, bait sales & other related items far exceed the amount that comes in from dock fees on an annual basis. We've been fighting to keep as much access in the city that we can. I'm not about to start backing down now.
CJV66