Below the Dam

[Johnny b]

Have been in contact with Bob Becker with IFOC and we have submitted a letter to the Corp Of Engineers down at Carlyle. Asking for the short bow fishing season to be removed. Have not seen the reply officially yet, but got a email from Bob and it sounds good for next year. Looks like they want to see how this year goes. So we are going to be on trial. I know that is no problem with our people. Just have to get the word out to the other non-members. I know I have personally seen other boats go right down the shore line very close to the bank. This really outrages the bank fishermen. That has been a complaint in the past. There are plenty of fish out in the middle that gives everyone their space. But looks like we will still have to wait until June 15 to get out down there.

[scribe917k]

Is that the only season restriction at carlyle? Until I sean a post about that a few weeks ago I had no idea there was a season restriction below the dam.

[Johnny b]

As far as I know this is the only restriction at Carlyle below the dam. BOWFISHING ONLY FROM JUNE 15 TO SEPTEMBER 15. On the river only between the suspension bridge and the dam.

[BuffaloBrian]

Signs also state bowfishing from boat only. Everytime I went there was always people shooting from bank anyhow.

[Johnny b]

Shooting from the bank will get you a ticket as quick as anything. I have seen people shooting from the bank as well. There must not be any signs stating that you cannot. At least down at the boat ramp there is a sign.

[BuffaloBrian]

ORIGINAL: Johnny b

As far as I know this is the only restriction at Carlyle below the dam. BOWFISHING ONLY FROM JUNE 15 TO SEPTEMBER 15. On the river only between the suspension bridge and the dam.

This is kinda confusing, so you can bowfish from a boat all year long past the suspension bridge? Just not north of it towards the dam and the old river channel. The old channel is where they always bank bowfished. At the ramp it clearly stated bowfishing from boat only June 15 -Sept 15th. Eventhough I never saw this enforced all summer.We always shot from a boat anyway.

[Johnny b]

You were lucky, The last time down we got ran off. DId not get a ticket, just told to get.

[BuffaloBrian]

ORIGINAL: Johnny b

You were lucky, The last time down we got ran off. DId not get a ticket, just told to get.

Why am I lucky? I have never once shot from the banks of the Kaskaskia anywhere let alone theCarlyle Dam. Always shot from a boat during the permitted times, ie. Never broke any rules.

Your above post stated something about shooting below the suspension bridgeis permitted year round. The date restriction only applies north of the suspension bridge. Is this correct? Only looking for some clarification.

[Johnny b]

Sorry I guess i miss understood you post. It sounded like you were shooting below the dam in your boat during restricted times. In answer to your question, yes you can shoot below the suspension bridge any time. Actually if you stay just around the boat launch and down the old river channel, they will not bother you. But they could if they wanted to. We were told this by a ranger. He said just stay away from the upper section where the people bank fish.

[Johnny b]

Received the Letter to day from Mr. Robert S. Wilkins of the Corp of Engineers. According to the letter the bow fishermen are all on trial this year. If it all goes well and with the consent of the IDNR They will consider opening the season to year around next year. One of the main concerns besides safety is fish disposal. I know most bank fishermen that catch Big heads just leave them on the shore to rot. This gives us all a black eye. So we must haul away the fish we shoot or give them away to people who will really take them. If you are down there fishing pass along the word. I always see other guys there who are not members so we got to let them know what is going on. So the ball is in our court.