Are Irrigation Canals Public Access Points?

[Nuts]

It’s possible…
View attachment 412028

Clearly snagged. Need to use the flossing technique

 

[TOGIE]

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.

 

[44hunter45]

Man. A Hoochie Mama from a fishing pole would crush big bulls. mtmuley

Has to be an Egg Sucking Leech

 

[Forkyfinder]

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.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Please provide a pin for that exceptional place.

I wouldnt sell it to you

 

[Wyoming270]

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.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Hunting up a river or stream with the intent of accessing public land to hunt or hunting in the stream is another completely different issue and really not allowed by the Montana Stream Access Law. Even as a matter of practicality, big game hunting by access up or down a stream is problematic.

So even by boat you say it’s illegal to travel up or down a river with the sole intention of big game hunting to access landlocked public? Horseshit. And I don’t see how wading is any different than boating in that I’m allowed to go ANYWHERE IN THE STATE below the high water mark in any navigable stream or river. I’m not gonna be scared to wade a river to some public land. If it’s a problem, I’ll just lay on my back and float down the damned river. NOW IM THE BOAT.

 

[El Jason]

Cal ruined a neat little spot with that video.

 

[antlerradar]

Cal ruined a neat little spot with that video.

He put a lot of work into that buck too. Wasn't a put it on your back and walk down to the canoe easy walk.

 

[texwest44]

Good Lord people this was not meant to be a serious thread. But if that's the way the winds are blowing, let no one say that I don't also blow.

I can think of a couple of states off the top of my head that let you recreate in certain irrigation infrastructure, though I'll admit the one I know most about is mostly wasteway drainage back into watersheds (WA). MT let's you fish in some of the irrigation works in central and eastern MT (I do believe), but I've never done it and don't much about it or the rules regarding traveling up and down.

As for the point of infrastructure, roads and bridges are infrastructure too and those can be legally used as public access channels.

Edit: Bonus buffalo baby: