Is bowfishing carp in Lake Minnetonka legal???

[walleyepro]

I was just reading a post in the open water forum and someone said that since minnetonka is a muskie designated lake that bowfishing is illegal.

I've bowfished on tonka for years, and as a result of many lake homeowners not knowing why some guy had a bow off their dock, had the pleasure of talking to a few COs along the way too. Never had one tell me i can't shoot carp on tonka.

Anyone know for sure?

[Jameson]

I don't know if it's legal, but your own experience tells me it is.

...since minnetonka is a muskie designated lake that bowfishing is illegal....

This is hogwash. Might be illegal for other reasons, but not that one.

[carpshooter]

From what I heard it is illegal because most of the lake is within a county that has a ordinance about discharging weapon. I think there are a couple bays that are leagle to bowfish on the far west side. Its too bad, i hear there are some monster carp in there.

[PostFrontal]

We have been bowfishing for quite a few years out there and talked to the DNR before we did. It is legal to bowfish on Tonka as long as you are doing it from a boat (on the water of course). If you are doing it from land then you are in violation.

[TylerS]

I bowfished Tonka in high school. There were some HOGS in there! Had a tough time finding bays with little boat traffic, though. Would be a good lake to hit up during the week when everyone is at work...

[PostFrontal]

We only go maybe once year, if at all now. So I've got an awesome spot that if you have a sunny day with little wind you could spend all day there flinging arrows if you wanted to. Some years it's like the 4th of July with so many carp in there jumping. Let me know if anyone is interested. I'm more than happy to share the spot...

[King_Fisher]

I called the Minnetonka DNR last year and asked if it was legal to bowfish for carp on Tonka, and they told me it is NOT legal. They said it has to do with discharging a "weapon" within the city ordinance. I would love for someone to be able to prove me wrong but thats what I heard.

Otherwise I would love to find out where your honey hole is! I would even take you if we can prove that it's legal.

[Meat-Run]

King Fisher,

I would disagree with who ever you spoke with regarding "discharging a weapon" (they don't know the difference)!? A bow doesn't discharge or explode like a gun and city/townships have it details out as a discharge but not harpooning or use of bow an arrow. I would have them show you in print regarding true specs because you can use your bow to "take or harvest" rough fish if that particular lake isn't a designated muskie lake and which I think Tonka is not a designated muskie lake even though it has planted muskies in it. It's a false statement that any lake with muskies or planted muskies are off limits. Check with the St.Paul office and see for yourself. Good Luck and harpoon away!!!!

mr

[Meat-Run]

One more note, be careful if you are in true city limits because thats were you will have the most trouble, not the CO's. My address may be "Brainerd,MN" but I don't live in Brainerd.

mr

[PostFrontal]

Don't know what to tell you guys. I guess everyone should do their own due diligence.

If want to know the spot shoot me an email at [email protected]

[jerkin'm]

I know for a FACT it is considered discharging a firearm on the West end of tonka...I had to go to court and pay the $50 fine. I certainly would advise against shooting a bow on tonka..from personal in court/ticket experience..

[PostFrontal]

Were you in a boat or from shore?