Are Irrigation Canals Public Access Points?

it's not a public water way or natural surface water, it's infrastructure. it's the equivalent of water pipeline, just that it's open flow. it's not even public water molecules anymore at that point after legal diversion under a decreed water right, at least in colorado.

many irrigation canals have siphons periodically. great way to die.

basically as a general rule everything about irrigation canals is absolutely off limits to public use for many reasons.
 
Last edited:
Montana Code Annotated

23-2-302. Recreational use permitted -- limitations -- exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) through (5), all surface waters that are capable of recreational use may be so used by the public without regard to the ownership of the land underlying the waters.

(d) big game hunting;
Yeah. You are confused about how that reads

That is referring to elk standing on private land in a public river.

Go on and tell everyone though. The spots getting crowded.
 
Varies by state. In wisconsin when I used to fish there 20 years ago it was legal to walk the bank as long as one stayed under the high water line. In wyoming, it is illegal to anchor a boat in a river if the river passes through private land. Even the sand bar in the middle of the river is considered private land. Wading is out. There are places posted as public access easements.

The other issue id worry about is the states regulation for shooting ACROSS a water way. Its illegal everywhere ive hunted, and some places specify a distance from the water you have to be to shoot. this isnt the same as shooting ducks over decoys in water. Some places are a stickler on thinking shooting a rifle over water to land on the other side is a similar hazard to shooting over a road.
 
Back
Top