Shootin' Catfish

[wapiti792]

Well I have a farm pond that one of the landowners wants some fish out of. He has some huge blues in there. They used to be fed but now the old guy can't feed 'em. He's house bound. When I walked by the pond to check it out a couple big cats just rolled by the dock. I could have killed'em with my longbow. In checking the game laws I see nothing about bowfishin' catfish in farm ponds. I am getting my rig together and plan on getting a big'un for the landowner who allows me to bowhunt his property. I always bring him venison and turkey, but he REALLY wants one of those fish. Any ideas? Same rig as for carp I am assuming? Thanks!

[LoweBow]

Yeah...check the state laws first...some states consider cats a gamefish.  KY does not, but when they were allowed they put a 5 fish per day limit on bowfishermen.

same rig as carp, or you may want to use a "StingRay" type head w/ the wide blade type barbs as cats can be pretty soft w/ no scales and they also have a tendancy to start rolling as soon as they are shot.  A belly shot and this rolling will equal a rip out.

[Chris Shelton]

Sweet, I have tried it before on the potomac.  They were harder to hit vs carp, I think mainly because they were deeper down?  Sounds to me like you wont have any problems tho!!!  Good eatin too!!

[Mudd]

I don't have a clue about Illinois but it's definitely a No-NO! here in Missouri.

God bless,Mudd

[owlbait]

I'll bet since it is a farm pond and you have landowner permission you can shoot them. Hit em in the head, they will pull in easy!

[Ia Hawkeye]

Can't shoot game fish in Iowa . State laws extend to private property .

If it's legal go for it. Sounds like fun.

[stevemfwills]

get the grease hot and hush puppies flowing

[Danny Rowan]

Just checked the Illinois regs on line. Catfish are Game fish and cannot be shot with a bow.

[Ground Hunter]

Game Fish - No Go.  H

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Looks like you will be using a rod and reel but it should still be a blast. I'd love to have some skins off of them boogers for bow backs.
 

 Stiks

[koger]

Most game laws concerning fish only apply to public lakes and streams. Check your F&W regs on this. Here in KY private ponds or lakes have no regs, and catfish are considered rough fish.

[Van/TX]

If it's on your land you can probably do what ever you want.  Throw a stick of dynamite and scoop 'em up...Van

[Onestringer]

If its a farm pond you can use dynamite as long as you have the proper permits for the dynamite.

[ishoot4thrills]

Originally posted by koger:
Most game laws concerning fish only apply to public lakes and streams. Check your F&W regs on this. Here in KY private ponds or lakes have no regs, and catfish are considered rough fish.

Better check your regs again there koger.     Private ponds and lakes here in KY DO have regs just the same as public waters. For example, largemouth bass caught in private waters have the same size and creel limit as they do in public waters.

You are correct about the catfish being considered a rough fish in KY. But, as already stated above, there is a limit on how many catfish you can take with the bow and arrow.

   

[Lucas K]

Shooting catfish (channels only) just became legal in Kansas but I haven't been out to try it yet.

[OkieJ]

Illegal here in OK., but you can shoot them with a speargun.

[Dax]

I think I'd find a kid, get some livers, and make three people happy...the kid, you, and the old man.