Salt-Water Bowfishing Laws in TX, AL & FL
Saltwater bowfishing has grown in popularity in recent years, thus prompting many state governments to strongly enforce the existing bowfishing laws and put a few new ones on the books. While Saltwater Bowfishing can take place all along Americas coast for the purposes of this blog post were going to focus on the Gulf Coast States of Florida, Alabama, & Texas.
Alabama saltwater bowfishing laws and regulations
Alabama’s Inshore waters host several saltwater bow-fishing spots is the Mobile Delta and the Gulf of Mexico. This brackish bay is home to many legal bowfishing targets such as catfish, buffalo, short-nose gar, spotted gar, and alligator gar, and common carp. With the extent of Atlantic rays, black drum, mullet, flounder, and sheepshead being popular saltwater fish that’s legal to be harvested. Alabama has impressive bowfishing records, the largest alligator gar killed by bow, was 148 pounds and largest bighead carp was 98.6 pounds. In fact, Lake Guntersville holds weekly bowfishing competitions. Alabama’s extensive river system offers extensive freshwater bowfishing opportunities.
Bowfishing laws in Texas
In Texas bowfishing laws are more strict. 17 and under are not required to have a fishing license in the state of Texas. Endangered species and game fish are not allowed to be killed by bow. The most common place to go bowfishing would include Texas coastal waters, and rivers. On the other hand, bowfishing is prohibited in community fishing lakes and parks, also including Lake Houston and state Texas park. Bowfishing mullet, gar, buffalo, and stingrays is legal. With Texas not having a slot limit, the state does require that only one alligator gar catch per day. North Texas lakes that allow bowfishing would include Lake Worth, Ray Robert Lake, Lake Granbury, and Possum Kingdom Lake. In contrast, south Texas, Lake Amistad, Lake Falcon, and Lake Medina also have many bowfishing opportunities. The main bowfishing targets in Texas lakes would be buffalo carp and gar. On the Texas coast its most likely to target rays, black drum and flounder.
Laws of saltwater bowfishing in Florida
Florida Saltwater bowfishing laws state that sharks, tarpons, blue crab, pompano, lobster, and red drum cannot be fished by bow. Although common carp, catfish, bowfin, eels, and any gar besides alligator gar can be fished by bow in Florida. In the northwest Florida region, night bow- fishing tournaments do not require a license. Bowfishing is prohibited in Jim Woodruff Dam Spillway, and the Dade County canals. Only non-game fish can be caught in Florida freshwater bowfishing. Saltwater bowfishing areas range from the panhandle of the everglades to the space coast, leaving plenty of water to go bowfishing in the sunshine state. I have been bowfishing in both the panhandle and the everglades and i can tell you from experience that they are two totally different trips.
In conclusion, saltwater bowfishing laws differ for each state. In all states game fish are off limits to bow fisherman. It is important to know the laws and regulations for what state you plan on bowfishing in. By booking a bowfishing trip with Intercoastal Safaris, you can not only have a night of fun but also learn more about the tried and true techniques that our bowfishing guides use on a regular basis. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about the laws because your guides have that under wraps as well.
