South Dakota’s Bowfisherman Shoots 6-Pound Brown Trout, Sets a New State Record and Draws the Wrath of Purists

Ty Smith was bowfishing at the bottom of Lake Oahe in South Dakota on Monday when he landed a 6-pound, 12-ounce brown trout. The trophy brown was certified the same day by South Dakota game, fishing and parks as a new state record in the bowfishing category.

“It is the first brown trout to set a bowfishing record,” said SDGFP communications manager Nick Harrington. Outdoor living.

Like many other states, South Dakota recognizes two categories of fishing data: data collected using traditional hook and line and data collected using other legal methods. The hook-and-line state record for brown trout is owned by Wilfred H. Huether, who pulled a 24-pound, 8-ounce brown fish from Canyon Lake on December 9, 1990. But while most state record fish draw accolades and congratulations, Smith’s catch stirred mixed emotions online. Smit could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

“This should definitely be illegal,” one social media user said in a Facebook comment SDGFP page. “I’m sorry, but this is just not ethical, and honestly, if you shoot trout for game, you don’t make any money.”

To be clear: bow fishing for trout is legal in South Dakota. The state has a designated archery season from May 1 to March 31 on Lake Oahe, where anglers may catch trout and other game fish with crossbows or hand-drawn bows. Length and daily possession limits are the same for bow fishing as for fish caught with rod and reel.

Because Smith’s harvest was legal, the criticisms against him have more to do with ethics than anything else. Bow fishing is already controversial in some fishing circles, especially among those who practice catch and release. This is even more true for bowfishermen who target popular game species such as brown trout. In contrast, bow fishing for rough fish such as carp and garfish is more common, and many of the species targeted by bow and arrow are considered invasive species.

Although brown trout are not rough fish, they are technically an invasive species due to the negative impacts they have had on native trout populations. These fish were first brought to the U.S. from Europe in the late 1800s and are now found in freshwater streams and lakes in most states, where they reproduce naturally and can compete with native trout species such as cutthroat trout and brook trout. However, this doesn’t change the fact that many anglers love catching brown trout, and over the past 100 years they have become one of the most beloved game species swimming in American waters.

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“As a conservative, conservationist and fisherman, I disagree,” another Facebook user commented. “Trophy trout are just not for the kill, but that’s just my personal opinion.”

The timing of Smith’s record catch also explains some of the controversy it has caused because brown trout, unlike many other fish species, spawn in the fall. Some anglers, who might be classified as ‘purists’, try to give these fish a rest during this time so they can go about their business. And some states, like Montana, sometimes have that too certain water bodies or stretches closed to sport fishing spawn during the fall to protect the resource.

Judging from the photo of Smith’s brown trout, a trophy male, he was probably spawning or about to spawn. This is evident from the darker colors on the fish’s skin and the pronounced kype (or hooked lower jaw). Closer inspection of the photo also shows that some spleen appears to be coming out of the dead trout.

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However, a number of people have defended Smith, pointing out that his harvest of a South Dakota brown trout was not much different than killing a common carp. One user claimed that brown trout do not spawn in Lake Oahe, while another user pointed out that the brown trout had plenty of time to spread its genetics before being harvested.

“Ty is one of the most ethical anglers I have ever fished with, and he has gone above and beyond to improve fishing in SD for ALL anglers. Let the trout purists cry!”