Bowfishing Thru The Ice

[paleoman]

#4234

I know some few bow fish in warmer months. And, here in Michigan a few sturgeon get harpooned thru the ice. Just curious, is it even legal anywhere or done? Bow fish thru a big ice hole?

[Doc Nock]

#28609

Cabin fever much, Paleo???

Dunno if it’s legal, but one could speculate if gigging is, bow fishing might…

I’ve heard that penguins play tricks on one another and kick each other in the ice hole… but never heard of shooting fish in the ice hole! 😯

Not much of a killing shot but bet its painful! :o:oops:

[jason samkowiak]

#28766

I have never bowfished thru the ice. But there are guys in wisconsin doing it with bait. they are baiting the holes with corn and shooting fish there.

Not 100% sure about it being legal here but pretty sure it is as rough fish is now open all year on many waters in Mi. But also restricted on other waters.

Another great option is to hit the rivers that are not frozen at night with a light or boat with lights. when the ice covers everything they really like the open water of the rivers for the extra oxegen.

I have a boat set up specificly for bowfishing with 10 halogen lights and a generator that we bowfish from when the ice goes out in march and dont stop until freeze up sometimes. Fish are there to be had when you find them. Its nothing like the spawn but still really good all year.

My good buddy also runs a guide service all over michigan for bowfishing day or night from his air boat…awesome experience! He was out with some clients last week of november and it 3 hours they shot 60 fish. Just got to find them. I think i would try to find them in the open rivers before i tried thru the ice as they will be drawn to the open water.

[paleoman]

#29021

Thanks Jason. You are, as always, a great “go to” guy on this site. I didn’t even know if it was done.

Doc – yes, cabin fever is here. I have an active work week, much of it outside. Come the weekend I start pacing around looking for things to do. The Mrs. and I are very seriously considering a move to Maine and a total life ” makeover”. We may starve and fail but we know for sure we won’t have the chance 50 yrs from now to try. Lots of considerations but the overall trend is ” let’s do it”.

[Doc Nock]

#29029

Paleo,

Sent you a PM. I tried to consider a move, but in the end, arthritis, other health things, and fixed income conspired to make it more difficult. Go while you can do it. Make it or break it while young enough to rebound!

[paleoman]

#29186

Doc Nock wrote: Paleo,

Sent you a PM. I tried to consider a move, but in the end, arthritis, other health things, and fixed income conspired to make it more difficult. Go while you can do it. Make it or break it while young enough to rebound!

Doc – got the PM and much appreciate your input. The health care issue is where any “stoppage” issue is. Life is “good” now but we are both close to burnt out. So the ? for us now is to endure or pack the covered wagon and hit the trail? The more we dissect and analyze the less we listen to our gut and that always seems to be where the truth lies, however fleeting that may be. Nothing ventures. Nothing gained. But yes, it’s scary too.

[Doc Nock]

#29298

Unless you’re a select lucky few, health doesn’t get better with age…

And I do agree that “gut” is as one ages, often the culmination of a lot of experience and even “wisdom” but we like analysis over “gut” in our modern view.

I loved what country I saw in North Central AR…but in the towns, something just didn’t feel “right”…so in the end, I went with the gut and the dose of reality in costs.

Devil Hates a Coward! 😀

[David Fudala]

#31693

Most states dont have a closed season on rough fish but its always best to go to the source for certainty. If you want to find an easy way to bowfish carp through the ice, look for warm water discharges near power stations. Carp will flock to these areas.

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