PROOF THAT THE BIGHEADS HAVE MOVED NORTH.

[Bulzeye]

I was out bowfishing on the DesPlaines River near Channahon yesterday, and while filling the bucket with small common carp and buffs, I got the surprise of my season. Not more than 15 feet from the boat was the unmistakable gaping white mouth of a feeding Bighead carp. He was cruising alongjust under the surface sucking with that big mouth about once a second.

I hit him square, but he pulled off when he took off and dove deep.In the next hourI saw 2 more Bigheads that I managed to get into the boat.

It was like buck fever. There's nothing like it. They were the first Bigheads I've ever seen in person, and the 2 biggest fish I've taken of any species.
The larger of the two is 26 lbs, 2oz and is 37 inches
[/align]The other is 21 lbs, 4oz, and is 34 inches.
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[/align]Years ago the asian carp were thought to be stopped at the Starved Rock Dam on the Illinois River, but for the last few years biologists from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the IL DNR have known that these fishhave made it at least as far upstream as the Brandon Road Lock and Dam on the DesPlaineson the South side ofJoliet. The agency's shocking surveys have revealed their presence, but these 2 fishmay be the first taken by bow this far upstream.
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[/align]My catch brought mixed feelings.
[/align]Bad news for the waters and game fish, but it may make for some exciting local bowfishing in Northern Illinois.
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[/align]I'll be meeting with a few biologists in the next few days. They have already been notified and want to discuss the details in person.
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[/align]Christine and Kendall, Thanks for handling the pics for me again.
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[/align]-Bulz
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[carpsniper]

The GB's bigheads. Nice job Mr. Bighead Carpbuster. Go kill more.

[bowman15]

Nice shootin' Chris. That had to be fun on the Bobber. How long were you out and what was your total take?


That's great for bowfishing, but terrible for the rivers. For those that aren't aware, where these fish were shot is less than a mile from where the Dupage River feeds into the DesPlaines, and about 2 miles upstream from where the Kankakee River meets the DesPlaines. I think it's safe to say that both of these rivers have been invaded as well. If not, I'm sure it will be soon. The Dupage is a very clean, clear river and from what I hear, bigheads are going to love it.

Well, we can't change it too much, unfortunately, but we sure can try! I have yet to see or shoot a bighead myself. Now I have a chance at one without driving 5 hours south. I really can't wait till tuesday now.

[Bulzeye]

I just had to include that second pic. I thought it was ironic that I got my biggest fish, andmy smallest carp ever on the same day, and that the larger one could have swallowed the smaller if he cared to.

I'll whack as many as I can. I loved the way they pulled my boat around.

[fishpoint]

Holy smoke! Nice pair. I can't wait to shoot my first one.

[Bulzeye]

Steve, the total formy 3 hours was 13 commons, 4 buffs, and of course the 2 big ones.

I'm sure they have gotten into the Kankakee. It's right around the corner, and there is nothing to stop them, until the Wilmington dam. The DuPage has a dam just upstream from where it empties into the DesPlaines, on the South side of Channahon. It might be safe for a bit, but who knows?

[Bulzeye]

I decided to celebrate my new personal record with my first digital fish scale so I could tell just how heavy they were.
Happy early birthday to me.

[JRW]

Nice shooting Chris. Sorry to hear you ran into those thing. Happy to hear you killed them.

So......were they "tastey"?

[Johnny b]

Well there is no going back now. Congradulations. And yes it is defently a double edged sword, for the Eco system, and ablast for us. As KBI-Prez says the Good Lord, made Big heads for us bowfishermen.

[robow7]

One common carp to the other common, "There goes the neighborhood"