Bowfishing Laws

[Hardcorehunter]

I thought that bowfishing for catfish was illegal in MD. then Syoung told me that its not, and gave me a copy of the laws. Here they are.

B. Use of Bow and Arrow.

(1) A person may not shoot or attempt to shoot any fish with a bow and arrow in a Put-and-Take Trout Fishing Area or Special Fisheries Management Area for trout at any time.

(2) A person may not shoot or attempt to shoot any fish with a bow and arrow in State-controlled community ponds or lakes. However, the Department may permit the taking of carp in community ponds and lakes when it deems advisable.

(3) Every person who desires to take carp by bow and arrow shall first obtain an angler's license as provided in Natural Resources Article, §4-604, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(4) A person may shoot fish with a bow and arrow, except for all trout species, walleye, striped bass, striped bass hybrid, northern pike, muskellunge, muskellunge hybrids including tiger musky, and largemouth and smallmouth bass.

That means EVERYTHING else is legal and fair game.

[BIG FOX]

that is good news./... now we just have to find some flats that hold different fish, though i am perfectly content with the Carp Gar and Sting Rays..

[THE DEER HUNTER]

Those regulations are for non-tidal waters. (We bowfish in tidal waters, hardcore) I thought it was illegal to shoot catfish & stuff. Here are MD's tidal regulations.

IN TIDAL WATERS OF THE STATE IT IS LAWFUL:

1. between June 15 and December 31 of each year, for an individual to take or shoot fish, within specific seasons and limits established by the Department, with a spear gun and spear.

2. to take or shoot, carp, garfish, skate, bull fish, shark, oyster toads, or swelling toads (blowfish), American eel, sea lamprey, stingrays or other ray fish with a spear gun or spear at any time.

2. to snag or use bow and arrows to obtain carp, garfish, skate, bull fish, shark, oyster toads, swelling toads (blowfish), stingrays or other ray fish ONLY.

3. to use a seine up to 50 feet in length and five feet wide to obtain bait minnows.


4. to use a cast net (up to 10 feet in radius) in the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries where nets are permitted.


5. to keep any size white perch if caught by hook and line.


6. to use an "umbrella rig" that has no more than two (2) hooks or two (2) sets of hooks

www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/tidalunlawful.html



Here are the non-tidal regulations...

www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/nontidalunlawful.html

[osprey]

Now THAT's what I want to see you guys stick, some big oyster toads!!!

[BuckMaster]

Here is a pic of an Oyster Toad
ewwwwww....

[THE DEER HUNTER]

They are like really ugly catfish - I've caught a few out in the bay while bottom fishing.

[Hardcorehunter]

Thanks for the info Deer Hunter. I'll have to look for some ponds and lakes to shoot cats in.