How to fish a pay lake

A pay lake is a stocked private pond where you pay the owner to fish. Pay at the window, read the posted rules, and fish where the stocked fish gather.

Before you go

Check the lake's hours, price and whether it is catch and release or catch and keep. Every listing here shows what the lake publishes, and when we last checked it. Call ahead in winter, after storms and on stocking days, when some lakes change hours.

Find out if you need a license. Several states let customers of a licensed pay lake fish without one; others do not. See the license rule for your state.

How paying works

Most lakes sell a day pass, a half day or a night session at the pay window. Trout farms usually charge by the pound for fish you keep. Some lakes add a fee for each fish kept or each extra pole. See what pay lakes cost.

What to bring

• A medium rod and reel with fresh line. Pay lake catfish often run large.
• Bait the lake allows. Many sell bait at the window; some ban live bait or chum.
• A rod holder, pliers, a towel and a cooler with ice if you plan to keep fish.
• Cash. Smaller lakes may not take cards.

Rules most pay lakes share

• A limit on poles per person.
• No treble hooks, cast nets or trotlines at many lakes.
• Fish you keep may count against a limit or be paid for at the window.
• Kids usually fish with a paying adult.

Catching more fish

Fresh stocked catfish often hold near the stocking spot and along the deeper bank for a day or two. Ask staff when the last stocking was. Fish the bottom with cut bait, liver or prepared bait for catfish, and use small spinners, PowerBait or flies for trout. Loosen your drag before a big fish takes it.

Find a lake

Start with pay lakes near you, browse pay lakes by state, or go straight to catfish pay lakes and trout pay ponds.