They are especially common in the spring when they bunch up to spawn and can become readily available to hook and line anglers, as well as bowfishermen, on rivers and streams. While some species are relatively common, others are far more susceptible to exploitation.
Becoming familiar with the characteristics of these fish and their distinguishing features will help to avoid harvesting species that are threatened or endangered. It’s important to know what your state’s current evaluation is on their redhorse populations and any regulations in place that would prevent their taking.
Redhorse (continued from page 13)
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BONUS: Wisconsin State Record Silver Redhorse
We’ve all heard the stories: A first-time hunter shoots a mon-ster buck, or a kid catches a giant muskie on a worm under a bobber, etc… These are the stories that prove you never know when something great may happen to you, but if you put yourself in the right place at the right time, the results can be amazing. For 16-year-old Crae Wilke of Hortonville, WI that place was the Weyauwega Mill Pond in Waupaca County and the time was Tuesday, March 23, 2010.
Now, at 21 years old, Crae has gained plenty of bowfishing experience, but he recalls how he started tagging along on bow-fishing trips with his older brother Justin a couple of times starting in 2009.
This trip was the brothers’ first of the year and only Crae’s third trip ever. Justin was eager to test out his new boat that they had just finished rigging for the 2010 season. The brothers chose this little pond based on a tip from a guy who ice fishes there. Also, this pond was one of the few around that was free of ice and legal to bowfish, as most other waterways in the area were closed to bowfishing until later in April.
Crae left baseball practice that afternoon to meet up with Justin. They got on the water just before dark and scouted around until it was time to fire up the lights. Almost immediately they noticed small suckers in the shallows and began taking shots at these tough little targets. They hadn’t been out too long when Crae noticed a larger sucker on the edge of the lights swimming across a shallow sandbar. Crae questioned Justin as to whether he could even reach a fish out that far knowing that he didn’t have a lot of string in his reel and his bow only had a draw weight of approximately
(continued on page 14)
Crae Wilke proudly displays the Silver Redhorse mount and state record certification that showcase his accomplishment in the spring of 2010.
Obscure Adventures Magazine