Coordination with the State of Massachusetts

[Admin]

Notes/ meetings via Fred, concering WP & the state thus far.
This is an evolving document (attached)

[Susan]

That is great work that you are doing Fred. I have some observatons on the fishermen over the past few years,
THe pond is stocked in April, in 2008 someone caught a 3 foot long salmon then.
Other stuff that goes into the pond from fishermen:
bait (artificial and live/wounded)
hooks, lewers, flies,sinkers
saplings and tree branches (many of them sawed) that block their casting from town land
crayfish traps
fishing lines tangled around such branches and twigs, left in the shallows and on the shore
trash (alcohol , family diapers, wrappers, bait containers, artificail pellets, etc.)
wounded fish; bleeding (I've seen them swimming with hooks in mouths )
bacteria from rotting flesh
a fishy smell that often permeates the middle of the pond

Also, the fishermen are there year round, all times of day, in any weather. (almost)
They are generally respectful and polite, however, there seems to be a conflict of interests between sportfishing in a pond that originally had native perch and is now stocked with invasive fish vs. pristine water quality and a pleasant place to relax without acts of violence to the wildlife in your face.

The other day there were fishermen with an outboard gasoline motor. I called the police but ended up chasing them in a kayak to tell them it's not allowed. They had seen no signs. This is not the first time.

And the question is, is it even permissible from Conservation Land where there is no hunting or harming animals allowed..?
And , who is checking fishing
licenses?

I think that it is important to check the correlation between the date that they started stocking fish and the algae levels in the pond...Fish never "go" to the bathroom, especially 3 ft. long salmon, and this "fish tank" doesn't get cleaned.

[jim]

I echo Susan's sentiment of what a great job Fred has been doing (along with others). What I find disturbing in the Admin post of Fred's co-ordination with the state is the fact that the AMC, which is an organization that I have the utmost respect for, has been giving kayaking classes at White Pond. I think it is wonderful more people are getting outdoors and learning a new sport. What bothers me is the fact that these classes gravitate towards Sachem's Cove, where groups will pull there kayaks on shore to stretch and take breaks. I have seen continued trampling of vegetation and thereby more erosion, not to mention using the edge of the woods as a urinal.

I personally welcome proper use of the pond, but am miffed that the AMC has not taken better control of these groups with proper education and supervision. Lastly, if people are parking at Willard and walking down, can't the police patrol that area as well, much like people are turned away from CCHS on hot Walden days?