Got a group of guys that want to get together for a long weekend this summer and do some bowfishing and camping at a lake near Kansas City.  Anyone know of any good lakes for this?  I live near Hillsdale and would like to have our get together there, but not sure how good it would be for bowfishing.

Also, anyone interested in taking part, the more the merrier!

Not really sure.  

I've been meaning to try bowfishing for a couple of years now but never have done it yet.  I've got to get with somebody who knows what they are doing first and get set up.  I'd certainly be interested in giving it a try.  Got an old Bear Kodiak that already has several holes in it that would be a prime candidate for a bowfishing rig.

There is a creek down by Parkville going out of town on I think FF? or River Road?  Anyway, it's on the way towards Parma Woods range.  I've seen guys bowfishing for gar there from the creek bank.

I used to walk the banks of Lake Jacomo.  There are some nice carp
in there.

      Be sure you have your fishing license AND an annual  Jackson County Park Archery Permit.

Gene

We go to Melvern, Pomona, Clinton, and Perry.  All within 1 to 1 1/2 hours of KC (I live on the Kansas side).   All lakes are in Kansas.  Bowfishing is a blast, we get out 5 to 6 times a year.

Thanks for the responses!

These are a bunch of guys from the different archery websites that have really supported my family with the trials we have been through with our 6 month old son Garrett.  He had open heart surgery at 6 days old and has another one scheduled in April.  Want a lake fairly close to KC because I am hoping most of them will be able to meet Garrett.

Maybe we could make this a KC Traditional Network event also!

Dave,
I haven't done any bowfishing before either.  Like you, I have always wanted to but it just never has happened.

For those of you who have, would June or August be better?  Or does it make any difference?

I've shot a couple out of Smithville lake in some of the coves.  Should be good if you can catch the spawn. Last year I missed it and didn't see any in the coves.  A boat would have helped more.  I mainly waded along the bank.

Last year when the Platte River flooded, I shot some gar in the back waters and flooded fields.

When I had a Kansas fishing license I went down to the Kansas River near Edwardsville off of I-435 behind the tractor trailer business.  They have all that rip rap and dam on the river. Saw a few but the water was pretty murky.

Mel, do any of theose lakes you mentioned have some shallow coves that could be waded?
Chip, that sounds like a GREAT idea for the "Network"!  August would give us a good excuse to "cool off" in the lake, burgers & dogs, etc....
Keep us posted, and I'll do some asking around...

Kevin

I've never bowfished it, but I have seen carp in Hillsdale. Might be worth a shot.

Jocomo or Smithville could provide some action. I'm pretty sure bowfishing is not allowed in a lot of the "city" lakes like Longview and Blue Springs. Make sure you check before you head out.

Bill

I am sure they do, but we alway use a boat.

The Marias des Cygnes bottoms down by Trading post has tons of wadeable area to shoot carp(it's duck hunting marsh).The refuge is off limits but,all the duck and goose area is open to bowfishing.I've shot alot of carp down there over the years and some big buffalo on area "G".It starts getting real good in May when they start spawning in the shallows.I'd be happy to go with you if you'd like.  Ben

Ben,
Is it still good in June?

And are there some good campgrounds around there?

Shot a lot of fish out of Lake Truman.  Not too far to your south....

Chip,The bowfishing is good all summer but,it is at it's peak the last couple of weeks in May thru the first week of June.The fish move all summer though feeding.I just like seeing all the fins and backs early,it makes the shooting hot and furious.I shoot them all summer long.I usually go by myself so just give me a yell when you want to go.There are camping areas on units "A" and "G" they're primative but, I used to camp there alot.You can google it and look the area over on the maps online.It's about 40 miles south of I435 on 69 highway.A long time ago about 20 of us went down for a weekend and shot about a ton of carp,gar and buffalo in two days(the other guys were better shots than me!)  Ben

Ben, I wondered when you were gonna chime in....

Kevin,You know I'm already geared to go,I told you that the other day.Just can't wait for the weather to warm up and shoot some.Are you ready?  Ben

I will be when the water softens up a bit....

Ben,
It be great to go down there with ya sometime.  Little chilly out right now, but May sounds good!

Whenever and wherever we end up doing this get together ya'll are all welcome in our camp.  Many of the guys who may show up you may be familiar with from here or some other sites.

I'll let ya'll know the details when we get them settled!

I gotta figure out if I want to risk drowning one of my two bows or maybe if I should find an old bow on auction site or something.

Ben,
do ya need a fishing license and/or any permits to bowfish that area?

I haven't done any bow fishing either but it looks like fun. I will need some advise on setting up a bow.

I know a place where I've seen some guys shooting when the Platte River gets out of its banks.

Chip,You need a state fishing license and if a large group is going in and camp it would be good to check in with the Wildlife area office ahead of time to touch base and avoid any problems with the amount of people camping as the camping area size is limited.This would be a good outing for our trad group.Also, all trash and fish must leave with you when you leave.Years ago on the big shoots KBA had there would be an ad placed in local papers to give unwanted fish away as well as the area director provided a pit for unwanted fish But, I don't know if that would be an option now.  Thanks,  Ben