A slight westerly wind nudged the port-side of my 14’ Smokercraft, sending me into a silent and gentle drift through an endless sea of lily pads. It was a quiet approach, ideal for sneaking up on unsuspecting prey, yet the piercing glare of the setting sun reflecting off the water rendered my eyes almost completely useless. Through a squinting gaze, I struggled to make out what looked like a slight ripple in the water, followed by a dorsal fin breaching the surface. Drawing back on my bow I prepared for what would not only be my last shot of the evening, but possibly the biggest common carp I’ve ever taken with a bow. A twang from the string pierced the silence, and at a 50 lb. draw weight the arrow pounded through the water, gliding right over the top of the fish. A near miss, and only one of many that I will experience when attempting to land carp through arguably one of the most difficult methods of fishing.
Bowfishing for carp is the crème de la crème of outdoor activities for those who have an affinity for both fishing and hunting. It combines two beloved pastimes in a way that is both unique and challenging, plus, it fulfills that nagging itch that plagues most hunters this time of year as they eagerly await fall hunting season. Just like fishing with a rod and reel, bowfishing is a game of patience. The beauty of bowfishing however, is that instead of sitting and waiting while you troll your rig under the water or wait for a bit of movement at the tip of your rod, you instead get to spend your time deeply focused as your ears are tuned into the sounds of thrashing water, or carp feeding at the surface. You’re in constant engagement as you scan the water looking for slight movements in the vegetation, or for fish jumping or flapping at the surface, or better yet, for a fish swimming within shooting range.
Aside from the large doses of adrenaline that are part and parcel to bowfishing, those who choose this method of taking on common carp also get the added benefit of taking part in lake and river ecosystem restoration. Though carp were introduced by well-intended folks, they are classified by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife as an aquatic invasive species. These fish are highly fecund; with females laying up to 300,000 eggs per spring. Their ferocious appetites result in the removal of beneficial vegetation that would otherwise provide viable spawning habitat for native fish, they increase the amount of suspended solids in the water; causing increased turbidity, and they have been known to have a negative impact on phytoplankton production. Not only is the removal of common carp encouraged in Washington state, its supported to the extent that the WDFW does not require anglers to have a fishing license to catch or shoot them.
Looking to get into bowfishing for carp? If you’re already an archery hunter, then you’re over halfway there. For under 200 dollars, (at the time I write this) compound bows can be converted for bowfishing with the addition of a bottle reel, an arrow holder, pronged arrows, and some safety slides to prevent fishing line mishaps. Bottle reels are often preferred over spinning reels as they can hold heavier line for larger fish. The downside is that they require you to hand-line in your catch as opposed to reeling. If you own a high dollar bow, there’s a good chance you don’t want it getting banged and bloodied up in the boat, if that’s the case then there are plenty of options out there for bows built specifically for bowfishing.
Technique
Bowfishing is essentially a spot and stalk hunt through the shallows. You can drift slowly in a boat, covering the ground as you move though the water, or you can anchor in a spot where the fish are present and actively feeding on vegetation. Another method is to simply wade in the water and get on your fish that way. Whether in a boat or on foot, the key difference between bowfishing and land hunting is that you won’t be using sights when you aim at your target. Bowfishing, for the most part, is done with instinctive aiming. This means that you look at the target, aim, and shoot. This method takes a bit of practice to become proficient at, but most bow fishermen will find that instinctive shooting comes quite naturally and is a quick and effective way to get off shots.
Light refraction might be one of the biggest challenges you face when first getting started with bowfishing. When light traveling through air hits denser water, it slows down and bends. This causes the perceived image of the fish we see in the water to be above where the fish is actually located. Because of this, you have to aim low to get your shot on target. Like instinctive shooting, adjusting to light refraction takes practice, but as you miss time and time again, you’ll eventually find that sweet spot and gain an intuitive understanding of where the arrow needs to go.
Where to fish:
Common carp can be found all over Washington state, but as with many Washington fisheries, east of the cascades seems to hold the bulk of the hotspots for these fish. Below is a list of lakes and ponds where you can find common carp throughout Washington State.
Eastern Washington Western Washington
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Lake Spokane Whitestone Lake Palmer Lake Horse thief Elton Pond North Myron Lake Zillah Winery Pond Soda Lake Banks Lake Billy Clapp Lake Moses Lake Evergreen Lake |
Silver Lake Horseshoe Lake Lake Sacajawea Kress Lake Vancouver Lake Kineline Pond Lacamas Lake Lake Washington Green Lake Long’s Pond Black Lake Blackmans Lake |
Potholes Reservoir
Hideaway Lake
Big Bow Lake
Lake Wallula
Columbia Park Pond
So, whether you’re an archery hunter who’s spent a little too much time day dreaming about the fall hunt and is just itching to go fling off some arrows, or if you’re an angler who wants to both diversify and add excitement to their outdoor lifestyle, bowfishing for Washington common carp might be exactly what you’re looking for.