Planning for carp, please help

[Hummer3T]

I am planning for carp fishing for the first time.  I have the bow all set up and even made a bleach bottle target for practice.  What I'm really after is some practical knowledge of the act itself. Our bow fishing season here starts April 1st, but the ice in my area likely will not be off until late April to early May.  What water temps/time of year is best, to catch them in shallow water?  What habitat do they like, where they can be shot?  What are the best times of days (mid noon)?
 
Below are two images of the lake I will be fishing.  What would be your choices for spots?

The top is the upper reaches of the lake and the bottom is the lower reaches.

 

 

This lake is relatively shallow (>10 feet with reed beds showing in reflective areas
 
 
Thanks in advance.

Tim

[saumensch]

When the water temperature rises above 8 degree Celcius the carps organism really starts to work.
As most of his food also starts to bloom with higher water temperatures and as shallow areas tend to warm up faster, id say look for shallow areas at the beginning of the year, reed beds etc.
If the sun is shining on a big shallow area and the wind is also going to that spot, id say thats a winner. In general, carps tend to follow the wind in big lakes. The sides where the wind hits the bank are most likely to hold more carp then others as the wind is bringing the warmer surface water there.

At about 20°C water temp the carps go into spawning mood and start to get really careless and head for the shallows.
After that they will scatter and wont be found as easily as they then tend to go deeper.

During that early period of the year when the water is still cold a sunny midday should be best imho.
When they are spawning time doesnt matter really as theyll be in the shallows all day.
After the spawning theyll most likely be found in the shallows only in the very early morning.

In one sentence: carps love warmth

Im not an experienced bowfisher, but as a long time carpfishermen (with rod and reel) and as an instructor about fish biology in several workshops and classes id think that the things stated above should be equally true for carp in youre part of the woods.

Good luck!

P.S. Just looked at the pics. During the spawning im nearly certain those little bays at the upmost end next to the river going into the lake would be realy good (if the carp can get in there and those bays are fairly shallow but deep enough that they can get in there.)
Another guess would be the big bay left to where the water runs out of the lake again as the water had the most time to heat up there while going through the lake (again if its shallow enough).
But its really hard to say by only looking at pictures...

[smokin feathers]

when it thaws out in your neck of the woods get out n burn some gas n do  a lot of looking. our all of our fish for the most part are spawning right now and you just have to hit the shallows and look for them. come over and hang out in bowfishing country for tons of info.

[BobCo 1965]

I am thinking here (in red):

 

[Hummer3T]

Originally posted by saumensch:
At about 20°C water temp the carps go into spawning mood and start to get really careless and head for the shallows.

Our water here likely never gets up to 20'C but I know the Carp here spawn, so I will just have to look for that activity.

[DGF]

Look for shallow areas with a darker bottom (muck vs. sand) in the spring, as they will be the first to warm up.

Dan

[Uncle Buck]

They shouldnt be hard to find, just look for dark bottom shallow spots and remember to shoot low if they are under water,

[owlbait]

Look near your inlets and outlets. The channel between the lake section would be a good bet for carp that are cruising. Look for any structures that are related to a change in depth. As soon as the water starts to warm after thaw and your season is open, get after them. Remember the spawn will be the easiest, most intense action, but it doesn't last long.