Bowfishing is an exciting way to spend time outdoors, but it also helps remove invasive species of fish from waterways and is a means of putting food on the table.
Bowfishing is a popular method for taking many nongame fish and can be a highly effective way to harvest some nongame fish that can be difficult to catch otherwise,” said Andrew Branson, a serious bowfishermen.
Rough fish, otherwise known as trash fish, have their place. They often remove bottom debris and unwanted aquatic vegetation. A carp or gar here or there isn’t going to do too much damage to a fishery. However, when the population of rough fish becomes significantly too high the sport fish population suffers. Asian Carp are completely undesirable and all need to die. Bowfishers are doing their part.
The following list of places to bowfish is meant to highlight exceptional fisheries while showcasing diversity across our land. You can bowfish all across Indiana, and I’m sure the waters you feel were overlooked in this article are incredible destinations. Here are 10 top bowfishing destinations in the Hoosier State.
1. Lake Michigan: The south shore of Lake Michigan is exceptionally good. Stalking the scenic, wildlife rich marshes of the lakeshore for common carp spawning in ankle-deep water is as close to shooting fish in a barrel as one can get in the wild. The steel mill stretch of the south shore is sectioned off into harbors and bays that are teaming with fish.
2. St. Joseph River: Don’t shoot a salmon or steelhead. Help preserve them by knocking off the trash fish that suck their eggs like caviar. Carp abound in the St. Joe. Look for them around manmade structure in the South Bend area.
3. West Fork of the White River: Flinging urban arrows can pay off big with a multitude of rough fish swimming in this river. The East Fork is just as good, as is the White below the confluence. The West Fork is just cool cause it follows through Indy and is easily accessible to all the city folk.
4. Sugar Creek:The jewel of Indiana paddling adventure is full of carp. Stalking the upper reaches of the creek near Crawfordsville in the evening of a hot summer night is an incredible adventure. Just don’t forget your bug spray.
5. Wabash River: Walking the banks of the Wabash armed with a stick and string is a great way to fill a truck bed with rough fish. The entire course of the river offers good bowfishing, but the need for a boat increases the further south you go.
6. Lake Monroe: The Crooked Creek area of Lake Monroe has to be one of the best spots in the state for arrowing carp. When they are spawning, the carp can be so thick in the shallow backwaters, you might be able to walk across them.
7. Patoka Lake: The sportsman paradise of Patoka never runs out of outdoor opportunity. Bowfishing is just another thing Patoka offers incredible action for. A group might be inclined to rent a houseboat and hunt the backwaters of Patoka for an extended stretch.
8. Brookville Lake: Brookville is slammed with carp. All around the marinas are prime locations. Don’t be afraid to arrow a few fish in the tailwater either.
9. Hovey Lake: The shallow water of Hovey Lake is a great place to arrow fish. If you can find carp in the cypress trees, then it’s like you are hunting fish in a forest. Hovey is a beautiful, unique water.
10. Ohio River: The entire Indiana section of the Ohio River is prime bowfishing territory. Safety must be encouraged on this mega-river, though. Be sure to bowfish from a boat big enough to tackle the Ohio. Close to shore around dikes and docks are places to look for carp.
See you down the trail …
