Regional Reports
UPPER MIDWEST
Wisconsin
The 2015 Winnebago and Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing season came to an an end on Saturday, Feb. 21. There were 2,158 sturgeon taken during the 8-day season until the caps were reached. Of those fish, 46 fish weighed in over 100 lbs. Every year anglers stare down holes on these water bodies for hours in hopes of sticking one of these prehistoric giants.
The WBA has passed a new rule allowing 4 adult shooters per boat for the 2015 season. The full results of the annual meeting can be found on the WBA website.
Michigan
Similar to Wisconsin, the Bowfishing Association of Michigan (BAM) has approved the use of a 4th adult shooter (17 or older) for tournaments in 2015. Full details, as well as info on tournaments and prizes can be found on their Facebook page.
Michigan's dark house spearing season is well underway and anglers are taking fish through the ice. They recently finished the 3rd Annual Black Lake Sturgeon Shivaree. The event, held over a 2-day period (Feb. 6-7), had 303 registered anglers vying for one of five sturgeon to meet the quota.
The fishing event concluded in the early after-noon of the first day, but the festivities carried on throughout the weekend.
Michigan has fairly liberal spearing regulations, especially during the winter. Pike, Muskies, and even Yellow Perch can be taken with a hand-propelled spear. Check out the regulations here.
Iowa
The Bowfishing Association of Iowa will hold their Spring Banquet on March 28. Directions can be found on their home page. They will work to finalize the 2015 tournament schedule.
There is also a bill pending to legalize the taking of catfish. Check out the story here.
Minnesota
The Land of Lakes Bowfishing Association will hold their Annual Spring Meeting on March 21. Full details can be found here.
Illinois
The proposed regulation limiting anglers to 10 native rough fish per person during bowfishing tournaments is still a hot topic in the Land of Lincoln. Here is the regulation:
Bowfishing Tournament Harvest Limits for all waters – A daily tournament harvest of no more than 10 native fish (all species in aggregate) (no culling) applies (all fish taken must be legal to take with bowfishing methods) except in Special Fish Management Areas designated by the Department where less restrictive harvest limits may be specified in the Permit. All invasive fish (legal to
take with bowfishing methods) have an unlimited take limit.
More information can be found here in section 810.95, public comments are open for 45 days as of Feb 6 (Monday, March 23). The address for the person who will aggregate all received comments can be found on page 1868 of the linked document.
Lucky spearer Mark Giltrop landed this 53", 44 lb 8 oz muskie while scouting for the Black Lake Shivaree.
Pike and Muskies can be legally taken during winter months in Michigan from Dec 1 - Mar 15 by hand-propelled spear only (no bowfishing).
First year spearer Adam Toboyek surveys Lake Winnebago like Poseidon with his trusty trident. Adam successfully hauled in a 40" sturgeon by 7:30 AM on opening morning, Feb 14.
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March, 2015