Bowfishing location suggestions please

[RonB]

Hi - Illinois here - I would like some advice/suggestions/ideas about a location that I can go to do some bowfishing/camping.  I have a small jon boat and would appreciate some advice/thoughts.  I need some 'alone' time - I'll be going in August.  All ideas welcome - but Florida is a bit too far!  I'm new to bowfishing but totally addicated.  I really haven't picked up the rod and reel more than twice this year.

Ron

[Jerry Jeffer]

Ron, The mighty Mississippi is full of nice big carp. Closer then Florida I'm sure. If you have a boat, all the better. Just hit the sloughs and back eddies.

[RonB]

Jeff - Hmm I should explore those opportunities - For some reason it never popped in my head.

[adeeden]

Where are you at in IL?

[KentuckyTJ]

Ohio/Mississippi River if you can catch it clear. These are from Western Kentucky.

[RonB]

Adeeden - I'm near Joliet - I will travel - Missouri, Kentucky, Indy etc. or.......stay in Illinois - I just want a good stretch of water, a fairly decent campground and to have some quiet time.

Ron

[Lefty]

Check out Starved Rock state park and the Illinois river.  I can also reccommend the Mark Twain refuge for bow fishing the Mississippi back waters and you can camp in nearby Big River state park.

[toddster]

Ron, Decatur,illinois here.  I bowfish alot and have to tell you with the storm's we been getting, it has been a rough year in our state.  Evergreen is suppose to be pretty good, by bloomington.  clinton lake is good for carp and buff's, but as of the other day still pretty merky.  Shelbyville is my favorite lake, but being 4 foot from record flood been pretty bad, haven't seen but 5 gar all year.

[RonB]

Lefty - where is the Mark Twain refuge (Illinois?) - Toddster - the rain is one of the reasons I was looking to go to Missouri, Kentucky or beyond.  Although I'm new to bowfishing I've been a trad shooter/hunter since I was about 9 - 54 now.  I was looking to go to somewhere where the water clarity is "normal".

Ron

[fireman_3311]

There is a Mark Twain Lake in NE Mo, also, try Truman Lake, near Warsaw, Mo.

[oddan]

Camp at Carlye lake. Put you boat in below the dam and shoot all the flying fish as you run down the river (Kaskaskia) plowing water. You will shoot till you arms are sore.

[Lefty]

The Mark Twain refuge is located on the Mississppi river just north of Keithsburg IL.  It is a wildlife refuge, but is open to fishing most of the year.  Closed during the fall to accomidate the duck and geese migration.  It is leveed off from the Mississippi and not accessible from the river, but does have a boat ramp at the south end, shallow water conditions and full of carp, buffalo, gar, and dogfish.  Water clarity can be a factor though following heavy rains.  A very nice riverside camp ground is in Keithsburg, although with the recent flooding, you may want to check on that first.  Big River state park is about five miles to the south.  It has riverside camping or camping up on the bluff, well above the river, and a boat ramp.  Just down river from there is a lot of islands and backwaters that can be very productive for rough fish, especially when the spawn is on.  River stages and clarity definately effect you success.  A good spot in this island complex is called burnt pocket and marked on most river navigation maps and accessable from the channel side of the river.  River stages are still currently high, but on the fall and barring any big rainfalls should continue to fall.  The biggest challenge with the Mississippi is definately water clarity.

[RonB]

All - this is GREAT information - thank you all - a trip to the Mark Twain refuge is coming up.
Thanks again and Blessings to you.

Ron

[Fletcher]

Lake Sangchris, just SE of Spfld, has camping and lots of common carp.  It's where I do most of my bowfishing.  Here's a link to the Illinois Bowfishers:   http://www.illinoisbowfishers.com

[toddster]

Hit clinton again the other day, the clarity if pretty good not normal yet, but shot 15 carp and 10 buff's.

[Leo L.]

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Ohio/Mississippi River if you can catch it clear. These are from Western Kentucky.

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