Bowfishing Regulations

[Ralph Wiggum]

I've been looking for some regulations on bowfishing, but all I've been able to find is the section that states:

Quote:

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• A bow may be transported uncased and discharged while taking

rough fish in a boat powered by an electric motor. Crossbows may

not be used to take rough fish, except by disabled persons who have

a valid crossbow permit. Permit applications are available from any

DNR regional office by calling the DNR Information Center number

or through the DNR web site.

• Arrows must be attached to the bow with a tethered line.

• Licensed anglers and children under 16 may take rough fish by

spearing, harpooning, archery, and hand-held dip nets in all inland

waters, except where taking fish is prohibited. All rough fish, except

cisco (tullibee), may be bought and sold. Note: whitefish are not

considered a rough fish.

• Rough fish may not be taken by spear, harpoon, archery, or dip net in

designated trout lakes or streams.

• It is unlawful to possess at or near waters a spear, net, or any device

other than angling line that can take fish from February 20–April 30,

2006 and Feb. 19–April 30, 2007. The exception is landing nets used

for angling.

• Speared or dead rough fish may not be returned to the water or left on

the ice or banks of any lake or stream.

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It has no mention of having a bow in a boat with a gas-powered motor. Do I have to case it until I shut the gas motor down? Also, according to the regs, I can take carp with a bow in any waters that are open to fishing (except for trout streams). So, leagally, I can launch my canoe on Nokomis and shoot carp there, correct?

If anyone has a link to more in-depth bowfishing regulations, I'd really appreciate a link.

Also, any tips for a complete novice would be appreciated. I should be getting a bow this week, and I plan on outfitting it for fishing soon.

[Fishin4Life]

Ralph if I were you I would plan it safe and not risk the fine. I would keep it cased until you power down the big motor and fire on the troller...Just what I would do. Or for more clarification call the DNR, they will know.

[BlackwaterStout]

I watched a guy bowfish a few weeks ago. He was going after carp.

What do you do with the fish after you kill it? Just throw it on the bank to rot? I think it would be cool if you could bowfish for walleye and perch, then take your catch home and fry them up

[Gissert]

Leaving any kind of fish to rot is illegal.

[BlackwaterStout]

Quote:

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Leaving any kind of fish to rot is illegal.

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So if you kill a carp do you eat it? What do you do with it?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Fertilizer, hog feed, etc.

[so haaad]

Ralph,

You may want to double check with the City. I know that some cities limit or may even prohibit hunting, archery uses, guns, etc, especially those in the metro.

[frabillfisher]

I dont case my bow i just dont take it out untill i shut the motor off, you should be fine with the city limits thing i dont see why not, the only tip i can give you is aim low!

[Fishin4Life]

Spoke with the local DNR. Here is the skivvy. Ramsey county, NO NO, they do not allow bow fishing at all. When you are within the city limits of hennepin county you need to check with the local whose cow to find out if they allow archery equipment on their lakes. The regulations DO vary from city to city. White bear lake, nope can't do it. Bald Eagle lake, yes you can, it is in a different county. That is what I was just told. I hope this helps to clear things up a bit. I probably posted some miss information, and hope this corrects it. Any further questions call the local PD

[ghotierman]

shot 7 carp from my dock last week....looking for more!

I wouldn't think bowfishing would be a problem on Nokomis. there used to be an outdoor archery range right there by the lagoon.

I am surprised that it is outlawed in Ramsey county. Would think something would be posted in the regulations on that.

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

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I am surprised that it is outlawed in Ramsey county. Would think something would be posted in the regulations on that.

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That would be the logical thing to do. The guy told me it was the ONLY county in MN that banded it all together. Why? Who knows.

[LuckBites]

Every year there are numerous bow fishermen @ the creek @ Ramset beach. The carp go up it to spawn usually the 3rd week of June. Might be a little earlier this year. I talk to a guy with a flat bead a couple years back and he claimed to work for the DNR...

Can't vouch for if it's legal but I've been watching with the police circleing and they don't do anything. When they get thick some people get in there with pitchforks, quite entertaining!

[mncarphntr]

As for the case law, yes you have to have the bow cased when the gas motor is running. Gets to be a nuisance when you do a lot of jumping around to different spots.

[archer59]

From the DNR website

Transportation of Bows

No person may transport an archery bow in a motor vehicle unless

the bow is:

• unstrung, or

• completely contained in a case, or

• in the closed trunk or rear-most enclosed portion of a motor vehicle

that is not accessible from the passenger compartment.

[Fishin4Life]

And these laws prevent someoone from quickly throwing an arrow on the bow and shooting another person while you are driving, right...LOL I just don't see a threat from a bow sitting in your car, even if it is uncased. By the time you could pick it up, toss an arrow in and get ready to shoot, you butt would be kicked by the person you were trying to shoot. lol, my rant

[Ralph Wiggum]

Thanks, Archer!

[Metroguy99]

You should be fine on Nokomis, might want to call the park police ahead of time though. People sometimes misunderstand what you are doing and believe you are shooting ducks. This causes all sorts of bad things. Other than that, knock'em dead.

[stmichael]

I saw a guy on Long Lake in New Brighton he was in a Kayak with a bat...baseball/softball? anyways, he was out clubbing carp. I thought that was funny as hell seeing a guy pounding at the water, he seemed to be doing okay, he had a 3 on a stringer. Who knows, this may have been his way of dealing with traffic on his way home from work.