In Maine as well you can walk the shore line on fishing streams. If it get to be an issue step into the water. All water that I know of is public.

Here in NE, the landowner owns the land from the bank to the middle of the stream. you can use the water in the stream with a boat,etc,but if you touch the bottom of the stream or the bank you are treaspassing.

As a Michigan resident and fisherman I give you this information directly from the Michigan DNR website, web adress for this info at the bottom of this. There is much more info on their site than I can possibly give here, so I suggest checking it out. Hope it helps you.

Anglers in Michigan have the right to enjoy their sport free from unreasonable and deliberate obstruction or interference. Angler harassment is a misdemeanor offense. Law enforcement officers may issue a citation for violations which take place in their presence, or may arrest with a warrant obtained on information provided by the affected angler.

When reporting any physical or other deliberate anti-angler confrontation, anglers should note the following points; who, what, where, when, and how. The Angler being harrassed should not under any circumstances become involved in a physical confrontation with any individual

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_52261-70417--,00.html

Correct me if I am wrong but I do not belive you can own water in the U.S. So if I walk down the middle of a steam its not agianst the law.

I know in Va it must be visibly posted no trespassing from the stream. How else would you know if you're wading along and cross a property line. Landowners in Va own the stream bottom half way accross. Better be 100% sure. Not worth the fine. Contact your local conservation officer. He can clarify the not so easily understood laws.

"in ky you must stay in the water not on the bank .as the cop told me "

What if the creek dries up or goes under ground (as occurs sometimes in the mountains as I was astonished to see)? Now I know that if the creek is so low that it can go under ground; fishing the stream would be useless. I guess I'm just wondering what would happen, because you wouldn't be walking in water any more.

Here in the state of Michigan it depends on the type of stream. Out West the stream could run through the middle of your property and you can't touch it deppending on water rights.

Yea, get it from the state DNR to be sure. Usually if it's navigable water, it's public. You need to be in it though, not on the bank. Landowners do own lakes, ponds and impoundments.
As stated, in Va. it's privately owned half-way across the stream and to keep anyone off, it needs to be posted and fenced. It is confusing if you're working a stream and come across a fence in it, but that means stop. I think it was originally started due to cattle moving around too much.

In Ohio you may float a stream but once you touch bottom you are on private property.

Here is more from the MI DNR: Angler Rights On Public Streams

On fenced or posted property or farm property, a fisherman wading or floating a navigable public stream may, without written or oral consent, enter upon property within the clearly defined banks of the stream or, without damaging farm products, walk a route as closely proximate to the clearly defined bank as possible when necessary to avoid a natural or artificial hazard or obstruction, including, but not limited to, a dam, deep hole, or a fence or other exercise of ownership by the riparian owner.

On New Brunswick waters anglers must stay below the high water mark and it must be on moving water, on lakes and ponds it isnt legal.Any rivers that have atlantic salmon runs are not open public shoreline traffic if on private land.

DanCS good post and a +1 for you!

If I remember right, if your rafting/canoeing Wyoming and as long as you don't touch bottom, your safe!If you get hung up and must get out even standing in knee deap water, you can be charged for trespass!

Here in Arkansas,

Posting Land Requirements

Who may post property? The owner or lessee.

How should property be posted? By enclosing land with a fence; or forest land:

Signs may be placed not more than 100 feet apart and at each road entrance. The signs shall bear the words “POSTED” and/or “NO TRESPASSING” in letters at least 4 inches tall. Signs shall be readily visible to a person approaching the property.

Vertical paint marks at least 8 inches in length may be placed on trees or posts no more than 100 feet apart and at each road entrance. The paint marks shall not be less than three feet nor more than five feet high, and shall be readily visible to a person approaching the property.

Cultivated land, orchards, pasture land, impoundments, other:

Same as (1) or (2) but the distance between signs or paint marks may be up to 1,000 feet.

Which paint should be used?

Posting paint is purple tree-marking paint prescribed by the Arkansas Forestry Commission at (501) 296-1940. Most paint stores can help.

I primarily hunt Forrest Land and hunted it long enough to know where Forrest Property and Private lays. Once n a while I will come across a nut job and say the following.

Picture this!

I'm sorry sir, I've been Federally incarcerated for 20 years and a lot has changed!

Talk about making someone backup real fast!! LOL!

This makes the person rethink their hostility and becomes real nice. Then after a few minutes of reassuring the person I'm no threat and everything has calmed down, I'll tell him the truth I was in the Military for 20 years, whats the difference!

Ina? New word?

clay cooper,picture this...20 year felon huh,,?get on the ground boy that felony time and that means no guns.citizen arrest.

Yes water can be owned. Colorado sells water to surrounding states and California.
As previously mentiond, the law in Co. states the private land includes the shore and the bottom of waterway.

if your in the water they cant do a thing

In MI, the waterways have to be navigable for you to lawfully walk in the stream.