MassWildlife reported in a blog post on May 2 that a new state record carp was landed by angler Shane Felch of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The carp was taken from Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury and weighed a staggering 46 pounds, 5 ounces, breaking the 1993 state carp record of 44 pounds 2 ounces set by Roger Pyzocha with a fish he caught on the Connecticut River.
Here’s where it gets really interesting: Shane took his fish with a cross bow, which requires a special permit for hunting and fishing in Massachusetts. Carp are one of the few freshwater fish in Massachusetts which can be taken by either using a hook, line or bow and arrow. A line on the crossbow bolt is connected to a reel, which is attached to the bow. When the bolt is released, the angler can then use the bow to reel in the fish.
I had no idea that carp could be hunted with cross bow in Massachusetts. And while I’m sure that some folks will say that bowhunting carp isn’t sporting, I have to admit that it sounds pretty exciting – just too bad there’s no option to release the fish to fight again. Perhaps someone could invent a bowfishing arrow with a suction cup tip?
While Shane’s catch is certainly an amazing one deserving of recognition, I do think that there should be a separate record category for fish shot with a cross bow, versus caught with a traditional hook and line.
UPDATE: It turns out that the big mirror carp of Lake Quinsigamond was well known to carp fishing enthusiasts. Mirror carp have unique scale patterns that allow them to be identified as individuals. This particular carp had been caught and released several times in recent years and even stood as the US Record for the Carp Anglers Group.
Not sporty in the least. Quite a sad ending for a magnificent fish. What your readers don’t know is that this trophy fish was actually landed 3 times in the last four years by some sport minded carp fishermen who photographed it and released it rather than killing it for their name in the record book. It was also probably full of eggs since carp have not spawned yet. I have to wonder what Shane did with his dead fish since large carp have no food value.
Good point David. Interesting that the fish had been previously caught and released several times. I assume that must be fairly common, for carp to be caught and released several times over their lifespan in popular water bodies.
Well, I did land this fish three times myself, in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Three friends of mine caught it as well, so it’s a total of 6. It was at 44-2lb last time I caught it, I knew this was a new state record, but there was no way I would kill such a magnificent fish for the sake of getting a pin. You can find the story on my Web site. This catch also stands as the US record (mirror carp) for members of the Carp Anglers Group, the primary association of carp anglers in North America.
Such a fish was AT LEAST 20 years old, and still growing, a truly ancient marvel of nature. Butchering it with a bow & arrow is not fishing, nor anything remotely sporting.
I totally agree with you that fishing records should have nothing to do with such hunting-like method. I would also add that it is more than time that record registration procedures get modernized and do NOT require to kill the fish to be able to claim it. Catch & release is crucial to ensure fishery quality, to foster trophy fish, to allow more people to live through such an amazing experience, and is just basic respect for such marvels of nature.
It is very sad to see the demise of this magnificent fish. It had been caught and released on several occasions in recent years (the scale patterns on these big mirror carp allow easy identification) by at least three individual rod & line anglers. As you point out bow hunting does not allow for others to enjoy the opportunity of catching this fish and unlike a deer or turkey is unlikely to provide a palatable meal for anyone.
More and more anglers are discovering the enjoyment of catching (and releasing) these hard fighting sport fish including an incredible 500,000 people in North America who now target carp with a fly rod.
We may have a long way to go to match the multi-billion dollar carp fishing industry in Europe but the resource is here and hopefully more people will come to enjoy catch & release sport fishing as alternative to killing these magnificent fish.
Very sad to see the fish die, but in truth, how much longer can a carp live past 20 years?
Sad to see.
Mike, The carp is a long-lived fish, with a life-span of 40 to 50 years (there is even one that is supposed to be 200 years old in Japan) being recorded for some captive specimens.
It had at least another 20 years and another 40lbs to go 🙂
It’s sad to see a fish of this magnatude die via Bow and Arrow, Not only does it deprive the rest of the community of the opportunity to catch a magnificent fish but as such fish get older they get wiser as well. In europe you need to change the types of carp bait that you are fishing because carp unlike other fish can learn which baits that they have been caught on in the past. Therefore a large fish like this is extra challenging to entice with bait.
I don’t believe that bow fishing should count on the record books as the same catagory as angling. I have no issues with people doing it but it is a different sport altogether and should be kept seperate. There are plenty of smaller fish for that.
As far as the palatability of carp they are quite tasty when smoked. I prefer apple chips. I hope it got eaten and not used as fertilizer for the garden.
why would someone be allowed to, or what to kill such an animal,
What a pointless shame. “Angler” my arse! Cross bow “fishing” for carp should be illegal. During spawning season carp school up and almost beach themselves frollicking around in shallow water right next to shore. Way too easy to shoot them. One of the many cool things about carp fishing is that they always hook themselves in the mouth and never seem worse for the wear after a photo and release. I’d sooner chuck all my gear in the river than kill a fish like that just to get my name in the book. Congratulations NOT!
carp hang out around my dock all the time. When basking they move real slow, almost at a standstill.
Shooting fish in a bucket much?
Not a great deal of skill required to pop one of these things with a crossbow @ 3 feet away.
What a shame, such a magnificent fish going to waste !!!! 🙁
An absolute shame that this idiot had to do this and kill that fish. Selfish in the least.
I just cannot grasp the point of killing anything for the sake of it. How does someone get enjoyment from killing? Maybe next time he can club a turtle with a sledeghammer? Seems just as “sporting”.
Controlling deer populations with bow serves a purpose. This is just butchery with no purpose at all.
Shame.
you do realize that these fish are invasive species that threaten our water and can kill off all other fish in a lake stream or river right?
I cant believe that it took this long for someone to point that out! Thank you!
The word “captured” in the phrase “later captured by cross bow” somehow does not seem appropriate. I was also one of the anglers to have the “priviledge” to catch & release this beautiful fish.
-Mike Dragone
Great job. Don’t listen to the idiots. We have our own bowfishing boat and shoot trash fish all the time down here in CT. They make great coyote bait and tomato fertilizer
For the uninformed – carp are a non-native invasive species. Most fishery biologist encourage their removal. Have you seen what is occuring to the fisheries in the midwest due to the asian carp?
Again, great job. Shoot a bunch more.
I could not agree more with PAT. These are invasive species and anyone with 1/2 a RIGHT brain would know NOT to release these back into the water once caught. They are TRASH plain and simple.
Congrats to SHANE! Way to go buddy. Reminds me of a verse most here won’t understand.
Gen. 27:3 “”Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me.”
GOD gave us the critters for us (HUMANS) to hunt and enjoy! NOT to be given feelings and protection groups.
Keep on shooting these river rats!
Agree
Carp are a non-indigenous invasive species and can be very detrimental to their habitat. As stated, our indigenous fish species would be better off carp were removed entirely, and this individual was merely doing his part for the environment to control carp populations. If he had shot a Norwegian rat (another non-indigenous invasive species) would you be as upset?
Other non-indigenous species in Lake Quinsigamond include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskies, Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Smelt, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Tiger Trout, and Bluegills.
None of Gods creatures are trash , you are the idiot………what a shame & truly pointless.
your a complete moron! where do you get your facts from! so what if you cant eat carp! many people catch and release fish as a sport like bass for example. many studies have been done to prove they do not impact native fish and all come out that they do not know the correct answer and that carp only brackish the water and they do not kill the fish eggs! get your facts straight before you leave a stupid idiotic post like this! All the studies that have been done that say carp are harmful to the environment all come to bow fishermen company’s and clubs that sponsor the studies! again its called GOOGLE my friend its an amazing tool you should try and use it before blaming it on a fish that does nothing at all to the native species!
These type’s of fish are non-native and an invasive species. If we as SPORTSMAN don’t keep their numbers in check then the lake would be over run. I support catch and release on the species that are not stocked and need our help. These type’s of fish aren’t targeted for anything! There aren’t many people fishing for these fish on purpose, most are caught accidently. The people that do fish for them all support catch and release and they are not taken out of the equation. If every fish taken were put back then we’d have a situation like in the mid-west with the ASIAN CARP! These fish must also be kept control of. Also,if you think it’s easy trying to shoot ANYTHING in the water, from a moving boat,whether it be with a bow,cross bow,or spear, Then go get yourself some equiptment , which by the way isn’t cheap, and come on out! It’s a little harder than what some of you may think! DON’T KNOCK IT TIL YOU’VE TRIED IT!!!
Way to stick together people… You may look down on this methodology today, but when your style of fishing is called into question, who do you think is going to stand up for you? Fishing is a consumptive activity the same as any form of hunting. Since the method of take and the right to keep the kill are legal and encouraged by the DFW, who are you to demean the fisherman above? I believe the naysayers above are just as culpable for the ever eroding rights of Baystate sportsmen as the out-of-touch PETA freaks. You guys should go hang out on their website as you obviously don’t have the balls to hang out here.
Thats a monster! I agree with Pat. While they are fun to catch on a rod and reel, they are just as challenging with a bow. WWhy would fertilizer be a bad thing? Carp give me 10ft tomato plants that help feed my family. Is that a bad thing?
Learn how to be a better gardener, Tomato Boy.
I want to just clear up a few misconceptions a few of us are having here. The asian carp in the midwest (Silver, Bighead, and Black carp) are very ecologically different from the carp in question here (Common Carp/Mirror). “Asian carp” are planktivorous feeders that consume very large quantities of phytoplankton and zooplankton over the course of their lifetime. This is detrimental to other fish populations who’s young feed on zooplankton in their early life stages. This is why there is such great concern in the midwest around “asain carp” and the effects they have on other fish. The carp in this MA lake are mirror and common carp. From Asia, yes, an aggressive invasive species that will wipe the lake ecosystem clean of other fish life, no. In fact, these carp have been in the lake since roughly the 1930’s and the lake is still home to just as many, if not more other “sport” fish today. Those who use the “asian carp” excuse to kill these carp are misinformed and aren’t doing the lake a HUGE favor at all; like they say they are.
If we wanted to do this lake a favor and bring back the indigenous fish to these waters we would have to remove all of the largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike, brown and rainbow trout, bluegills, etc. The largest native predators left in the pond would be chain pickerel, brown bullheads, and brook trout. There would be little in the way of other “catchable” fish. This doesn’t sound like much fun to most compared to the present fishery I am sure, but this is how it would be if we killed all of these NON NATIVE fish as “stewards” to indigenous nature (as some seem to portray themselves).
Killing these specific carp (common/mirror) isn’t doing the lake any real service other than removing a fish that does less damage to the fishery than that of the very aggressive largemouth bass and pike. Largemouth bass and pike, however, have a very large following in the angling community. If someone shot the new state record largemouth bass we wouldn’t even be having a discussion here, it would be hands down everyone against the shooter.
Carp fisherman have no interest in “Asian Carp”, they are interested in common/mirror carp. Implying carp fisherman are ignorant anglers and PETA lovers is insulting and childish. Carp anglers, just like any other anglers, want what is best for the fisheries. They know “Asian Carp” are bad for the environment, and they don’t promote the protection of them. They fish for common/mirror carp and have a passion just like any other sport fisherman does for his species of choice. Many of these carp anglers are out of state and pay out of state Massachusetts fishing license fees to fish MA waters. That seems like an awful lot of income to fish for “trash” fish. By removing these fish you are removing the incentive for out of state angling income for the MA DEP and the local economy. Interesting way of looking at this situation, isn’t it?
So before all of this name calling and bullying gets out of line, I think everyone should stop and think about the impact they are having on the current fishery and the dedicated fisherman whom travel to these waters. I would also like to state that I am not against bow fishing and I understand its place in many peoples hearts. I don’t however agree with the waste that is often involved in this practice. Hunting to eat is one thing, hunting because we have a “god given” right to kill something and let it rot away, is insulting and ignorant. Thank you for your time.
Amen, kevin
yea i have seen that one and many other big carp at quinsig fishing with a bow is not fishing i could have foul hooked them just as easy but thats not fishing
Heres an idea, lets start shooting carp with arrows and take pride in killing the bigger ones so that someday theres not many left and probably not anymore big carp….lame. Asian carp are the carp to worry about people not common carp and mirror carp. They have been in America a long time now and there is still plenty of bass, pike, trout and whatever else you fancy catching. Its one thing to go out and catch big smart carp with a fishing pole and bait. Its another thing to drive around the lake with giant spot lights until you find them at the top and try to drive a arrow in its back, although i will say i cant imagine its a easy shot but none the less not as hard as getting one to take your line.
Kevin, could you PLEASE remove my picture from this blog post?
I really do NOT appreciate to be associated with this bow & arrow butcher. And you never asked my authorization for publishing this picture… Which I would never have given.
Sorry, I can understand that you’d rather stay neutral on such topic, but I don’t have to….
Only kill it & eat it if you truly have to feed your family with it , otherwise i agree with most everyone else that this is just the pointless butchery of such a beautiful specimen. Sincerely , Ed —–> Avid Catch & release Carp Fisherman
why kill something like that if your not going to eat it! this is not the first time someone has caught this same fish! you should have used a regular fishing rod instead! many studies have been done to prove carp does not harm other sports fish. so why go ahead and kill it! catch and release so other people could enjoy fighting it! carp affect the clarity of the water and weed growth but does not impact native fish in any way!
Wow so glad I found this blog to post on! Couldn’t wait to leave a comment
First off I’m an avid carp fisherman and can’t believe anyone would want to shoot one
With a bow? Do you suck at angling so bad? Try catching one the real way shane!
Better yet please turn the bow on yourself and shoot it 🙂 more important the idiots on this post who think they are trash fish…. you guys are straight idiots
so sorry I’m 2 years too late on this thread. We use them for fertilizer and pet food in the NW!… we have carp shooting tournaments…. bass fishermen love us… carp are bad bad bad for the lakes and the fish in them. I’ve had fishermen thank me and encourage me…” kill em’ all!”
typically we shoot em’, bop em on the head; make sure they’re dead, and toss em’ back!!! If you don’t make sure they’re dead, then your not doing “all that you can” for the lake and your brother fishermen….
In the south, I have friends that lived in towns where it was an annual celebration for the locals to go out and heard the carp up and stab them with pitch forks and such… now that’s my kinda civic event.
Carp hunting is NOT fishing, who’d want to fish for carp….. jeessh that’d be ridiculous. ..I mean really, what would you put on the hook?…. dog crap? Shooting them (hunting) is the only real way to get carp… “fishing” them is just sitting in a boat… may as well go hiking and just take photographs of deer and elk.
… we don’t even need a license to hunt them,… they’re a blight. It’s a service to the wildlife community to kill carp. .. I’m thinking they may start PAYING carp hunters by the pound.
“Real Fishing” is boring… rates right up there with golf… (and yes, I do golf… when I’m bored… or is it, I’m bored when I golf)
I’ve often worked up a sweat slingin’ arrows at carp and reeling them in…. so many carp, so little time. An average tournament will yield thousands of pounds of carp, dead carp(you win by the pound) … which is then usually handed over to some company that grinds them up and makes … well,…something out of them.
Wish I could land a 40+ pounder,… I could really make a mess outta the boat with one of those!…. Dog loves them too, loves to crunch them when I pull them onboard… the eggs are like caviar to dogs… they eat em’ up…. yum yum. A successful day of carp hunting is when you get home and have to scrub carp guts, scales and eggs off your boat for an hour…. nothing like a white boat with the dried brown blood of 20 or 30 carp staining the sides of the hull.
I do enjoy real fishing too of course,… when I need a nap. …. as if “real fishing” were some sort of holy achievement sanctified by God. … come on guys, the fish end up dead either way.
HOWEVER, Fly Fishermen get my respect… true anglers(if that’s a big deal). The real upper echelon of anglers. Lots of money, lots of skill, dedication…etc etc. But in the end, it’s about the hunt. Finding the fish, knowing where the fish will be, understanding the prey. You say it’s easy to shoot a fish 3ft away… well, I never get fortunate to have them that close, most are in the 10 to 30ft range… love taking those 40ft shots…. and that is easier for some than others….. not so easy for me, I enjoy the challenge. Would love to get on one of those rivers where the carp “jump” out of the water and you shoot them in the air..what a hoot that’d be.
And yes, I know, there a lot’s of different type of carp. We shoot what is known as “common” carp up here… apparently they have a problem with “Asian” carp in the Midwest….. but I’d shoot any of them given the chance…. beat them on the head with the same stick… “magnificent animal”…. LOL what a load of crap…. do you realize how many times that vermin 44 pounder was allowed to propagate it’s evil species?! …. shoulda been killed years before…
So all you narrow minded; bleeding heart “true fishermen” ,… you can keep fishing, I’ll keep hunting. Maybe if you can get over yourselves for 10 seconds you’d thank all us carp hunters for doing you a favor.
wow congrats i like bow fishing but lakes and seas are too far away from our city so therefore i cant go. i just read post and enjoy the reading.