Bowfishing

Dustin Schlegel shoots while Cody Schlegel watches while bow fishing at the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Gull Lake Recreation Area several years ago.

Photo by Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

increasingly popular in lakes area

Angela Sherack REALTOR 218.838.4494 AngelaSherack@gmail.com gelaSherac a k@ k gm

By Dan Determan

It should be a surprise to no one that in the Brainerd lakes area, fishing is a popular pastime for many lake goers - both those here on vacation and full-time residents.

Whether in a boat, on a dock or on the ice, anglers come in droves to catch some fish from one of hundreds of lakes.

However, one does not always need a fishing rod to enjoy the hobby, as bowfishing has gained something of a foothold in the area.

Bowfishing, as the name suggests, sees the use of archery equipment to shoot and retrieve fish. Anglers will shoot fish with an arrow that is attached to a special line, with the reel mounted on the bow.

“I think it’s just being able to shoot a bow and arrow from a vehicle like a watercraft, and then also the vision that you have in the evening with watercraft that are aided with lights,” local Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Jim Guida said. “It kind of creates an environment like an aquarium … it creates that feeling that you’re seeing something that you don’t normally see from the surface of the water. You can actually see under the water quite a ways.”

Longtime local bow fisherman Bruce Edberg, of Nisswa, said the activity actually serves as a combination of many hobbies outdoorsmen and women tend to enjoy.

“You’re hunting, fishing and stalking at the same time, and there seems to be a whole bunch of stuff to shoot,” he said. “It really is a challenge … Once you hit it, the fight is on.”

Only rough fish - less desirable, rarely eaten species - are allowed to be taken by bow in the state. In Minnesota, these species include bullheads, suckers, carp, redhorse, freshwater drum, bowfin and gar. White suckers and redhorse are by far the most prominent in the lakes area, Guida said.

For Edberg, if given the choice of which rough fish to pursue, his preference is the buffalofish.

“They consider buffalofish a rough fish, but it is such clean meat - it’s so white, you can’t believe it,” he said. “It does taste pretty good, and you can prepare it a lot of different ways.”

Though bowfishing is a niche in the fishing community, Guida said the sport has seen more and more people taking part in the area.

“It is increasing in popularity,” Guida said.

“There are now boats being manufactured with archery decks on them, so archers are elevated on a platform … and now there are people starting to guide bowfishing trips.”

One of those guides was Edberg, who served as a guide for roughly three years. Working as a guide gave him the opportunity to share his hobby with others - and with it, all of the interesting aspects of nature in the area.

“One of the coolest things about it is seeing the animals go by underwater,” Edberg said. “Beavers, mink and otters will swim by because they are curious. You will see some turtles and then, all of the sudden, you will see some great, big snapping turtles. It’s just so interesting to see.”

Edberg also said he has seen loons using his light to catch minnows. The reason for the light is that many anglers prefer to do their bowfishing in the middle of the night.

“In the daytime, Minnesota is 50% clouds, and you want sunny skies,” Edberg said. “Then you want calm waters. Well, Minnesota has an average wind of 7 miles per hour, so then you get those little whitecaps and it’s hard to see in the water.”

Despite partaking in their hobby while the rest of the community sleeps, many bowfishing enthusiasts seemingly cannot get enough, perhaps because they are able to bag a large number of fish - species that are readily available as well.

“One of the reasons I think people enjoy it is that they find success,” Guida said. “When you go out walleye fishing, in some cases you might not catch a fish. In other cases, you might catch 10 or 15, which is a good day in Minnesota. Bow fishermen find that they can have success based on the numbers of fish that they are able to harvest.”

In addition to being able to take a large number of rough fish, the season is effectively year-round.

“Carp and suckers can spawn three times a year, so they are in the shallows creating an environment where they are harvestable and visible in the shallow water … It is not uncommon for us to bump into people with a 50-gallon barrel full,” Guida said.

That can lead to other concerns, he said, as some anglers have been known to leave these rough fish in public areas and road ditches.

“Bow fishermen have a responsibility to utilize these fish,” Guida said. “Some use them for fertilizer, some use them to make fish patties … in some cases, we have complaints of them dumping fish in the public eye.”

In general, however, many have no issues with those fishing by bow and arrow, and often appreciate them keeping the rough fish populations in check.

“Most people are happy or they feel relieved that those fish species are being removed from their walleye lake or their panfish lake,” Guida said. “I would say that even the anti-bowfishing folks are looking at it saying, ‘Hey, they’re helping the water body by removing these underutilized carp species.’”

Edberg said he has taught the sport to dozens of individuals over the years, and used it as a means to build important relationships.

“I have had 72 foster kids, and I took them all out and (bowfishing) really breaks all barriers,” Edberg said. “You’re teaching them something and it makes them think, ‘Oh, I think this guy likes me.’”

Both Guida and Edberg said they felt the sport has recently increased in popularity in the lakes area and the state, and with an increase in tournaments and other public events, they do not see bowfishing losing its appeal anytime soon.

“I think that people that have done it and have had a positive experience will continue to be interested in it,” Guida said. “I know there are a lot of young people that love to bowfish. Predominantly, what I see is that 25- to 35-year-old range that like to do this regularly … It’s an opportunity to shoot a bow, which is fun for a lot of people and they usually can only do it in the fall during the hunting season. Now, they can take the bow out in the spring and summer to take some carp and suckers.”

DAN DETERMAN is a staff writer for the Pineandlakes Echo Journal weekly newspaper in Pequot Lakes/Pine River. He may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@pineandlakes.com.

Bruce Edberg shows off a bowfishing trophy.

Contributed photo

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