Lake Michigan Carp

fishpoint · 02-14-2007, 06:40 PM

Anybody every tried bowfishing on Lake Michigan? I talked to several guys who bowfishthe rip-rap near the old ComEd State Line station and thesteel mill plants in Indiana. They claim 20 lb carp are the norm.

I'm not sure if you would need Indiana fishing licenses.

bowman15 · 02-14-2007, 06:56 PM

I've fished that exact place. In fact, the Amoco plant east of there on the lake was the very first place I ever bowfished. I had heard they wouldn't let you bowfish there anymore, so I never went back. 20 pound carp are the norm there. And clouds of them too! And I remember that either an Indiana or Illinois license were both good there.

If you hear it's okay to fish there, let me know. It's well-worth the trip to go try it out. The carp are unbelievable! They hang out there because of the warm-water discharges at both those plants.

Definetly need an Indiana license if you go east of the Stateline plant tho.

fishpoint · 02-14-2007, 07:37 PM

Were you on a boat?

The guy I talked to yesterday said he was bowfishing from aboat at night. I will ask theIllinois and IndianaDNR's about what is allowable.

bowman15 · 02-15-2007, 03:33 AM

I would love to take a boat there at night! We walked the rip-rap. We saw monsters everywhere in the daytime.

Bulzeye · 02-16-2007, 08:54 PM

I've got a guy that is going to be taking me out on the big lake for carp this spring. I believe the two spots you mentioned are a couple of his favorites.

If it works out, I'll be organizing a fun shoot or two at that location.
He told me that you can do it from shore or boat, and yes 20 pounders are the rule.

HNI_Christine · 02-16-2007, 09:06 PM

Make sure you join the IB7C before you go out.