Questions from a Newby

[BurnZ]

Hello, I've been thinking about getting into bow fishing. It looks like a lot of fun. I've got an old bow and found a kit at cabela's that has a couple arrows and a real. I have an old 12 foot alumicraft that i use for duck hunting. I also have a 17 foot fishing boat. So I think I got the equipment I need. My problem is I don't know where to start. Can anyone give some advice on what kind of lakes to look for? Or suggest some lakes or areas? I live around forest lake so i would be looking for stuff up in that region. Do you mostly hunt lakes or are streams/rivers a good place to look to?

Thanks for any advice

[merkman]

I have seen people bow fish at Lake Peltier.

I am not sure how good of a lake it is?

[cherokee]

Almost every lake I've been on in and around the metro has a good population of carp. Spring time right after ice out focus on mud bays and feeder creeks. Carp will search out the warmer waters. A little later on comes the spawn. You will see carp all over up in the shallows, on top of weeds etc. Although not in your area, Lake Waconia has some monsters but you will need a boat. Lotus lake has a bunch as well. Don't forget about the Mississippi river and the rivers that feed into them. Look around dams.

The biggest carp I shot was about 30 years ago and it weighed 36 pounds. I shot it in a little stream that came out of wolf lake (central minnesota). One time my brother shot at a carp that would have gone 100 pounds. No lie! The arrow bounced off of the carp and straight back at my brother. I witnessed this whole thing on top of a culvert where this same carp came through. It came through so fast and I was in such awe that I did not even throw the spear. This carp was the biggest I have ever seen. World Record for sure.

Enjoy.

[SneakAttack]

Almost every lake I've been on in and around the metro has a good population of carp. Spring time right after ice out focus on mud bays and feeder creeks.

I would recommend not to go after ice-out being the season doesn't open til May 1st and ice-out is usally around the first week in April

[bmc]

Bowfishing is a blast!!! I would put an electric trolling motor on your 12' boat to use while cruising for fish. Up here it's mainly suckers, redhorse, dog fish, and buffalo fish for spearing. The first 3 are mainly in the spring and buffalo fish are all summer. I'd love to head south and shoot some carp. I've heard Mille Lacs has carp in there?

Brian

[BurnZ]

Thanks for the advice so far. after doing some more research I saw that it has to be an electric motor on the boat while your shooting. So I've been looking for a used trolling motor on craigs list. And i'll probably try and rig up some sort of platform to stand on, on the bow of the duck boat. Thanks for the tips on where to look, I guess its just like any other hunting sport in that you need to put in the leg work and scout around. So I'll try and get out in april to look around.

[FearNoFish]

green lake is pretty fun to shoot carp. I have seen quite a few people out there mostly on the south end around the ospry nest area. I have seen the same guy on little green about 50 times in 2 years. I like to fish them on a 9 ft steelhead rod they make some great runs on lighter gear. good luck to yea. I am new to bow fishing also have only tried it a half dozen times. I miss ALOT. that whole bending of light thing through the water. Sucker Lake in forest lake right off of 35 I have seen guys out there also. I have not tried it there.

[cherokee]

Oh yeh, Burnz, pay attention to what Sneakattack said. Follow the regulations of course.

But if you are into fishing for carp with worms or corn, be sure to check out the feeder creeks and mud bays. Also, still should find some carp in these locations come May 1.

Good luck, have fun and be legal.

[carpshooter]

look in cattail, bullrushes, and mud flats in early spring on the northern shorelines.