No bowfishing in Lexington harbor??

[det07]

A buddy of mine that lives near Lexington said that there is a sign posted that says no bow/spear fishing is allowed inside the breakwalls at Lexington harbor. I guess it says the sign was posted by the Lexington Police Dept.

Does Lexington police dept really have jurisdiction in the water of the harbor?

[Silverman]

They may if your bowfishing from land.. meaning you cant be on public property with a bow/spear because its a weapon... but i cant see how it would hold true if you came by boat because bowfishing is still considered FISHING. SO, i would call the DNR and ask to clarify that one.

[GVDocHoliday]

Lexington Police Department would be who'd I'd call for clarification on that issue.

[Silverman]

the only reason i say call DNR is because they are the final word on issues regarding outdoor regs. I had a run in with The local county sheriff's Deputy who knew nothing about bowfishing and was trying to keep people out of a certain water body... I.E. not legal.. after talking to a DNR friend of mine about this he wasnt very happy that the Deputy did that because it was not right. Nothing against law enforcement.. because i am law enforcement lol but some guys just dont know. But to be fair, asking both departments would be a good idea and see if you get similar answers.

[GVDocHoliday]

Well there could be some local ordinance issues...not so much an outdoor reg but more along the lines of the fact that 'that' specific harbor is within the Lexington City limits.

The east side is pretty liberal...bows/archery equipment are considered firearms....and for the most part you can't even practice shoot in your yard. It may be be a specific bowfishing reg per say...but more or less a firearms issue...if you can believe it.

Chances are you won't have the DNR or county LEO's bothering you, but city cops could enforce the issues of shooting a bow within city limits.

If you're on a boat though...and they give you a ticket...well then I'd fight it.

[Silverman]

Yea if you can hook and line fish from a boat in that location then you can bowfish there too.

[WILDCATWICK]

I'd love to hear the answer on this one. Not to add to the confusion, but didn't the state sell that harbor to the city or private group just a few years ago? If that's the case I think the owners can ban it with inside the pier.

[GVDocHoliday]

I'd love to hear the answer on this one. Not to add to the confusion, but didn't the state sell that harbor to the city or private group just a few years ago? If that's the case I think the owners can ban it with inside the pier.

Yes...but the State still has a boat launch there as well as a building. It's pretty much managed by Lakeport State Park.

[MERGANZER]

I don't think I would press the issue the police will enforce it if they want and the chances of a judge overturning it is slim. Remember it is a weopon and those tickets can get pricey. Safety zones, city limits etc etc etc

But that being said go for it if you like but don't come on here and complain of that unfair LEO that gave you the ticket next week.

Ganzer

[twodogsphil]

Merganzer, when did the MDNR establish a safety zone for fishing?

[MERGANZER]

they didn't but if they wanted to I am sure they could enforce the one in effect for bows

Ganzer

[just tryin to fish]

i would contact your local mdnr and ask them cause like silverman we have also ran into local law enforcement stoping us from entering bodys of water because it was thought by them it was in city limits but even if it were in city limits we are still allowed to bowfish it because it is considered fishing not hunting, and the dnr over rules the local law anyday of the week so call them and see what they have to say

[det07]

I called the DNR Law enforcement number in Lansing and was told to call the Bay City operations center. They told me to call the Cass City branch office.. They informed me that the person that I needed to talk to was out of the office and to call back tomorrow:dizzy:.. I will try tomorrow and keep you posted. I did not try Lexington PD yet...

[mhawk21912]

I called the DNR Law enforcement number in Lansing and was told to call the Bay City operations center. They told me to call the Cass City branch office.. They informed me that the person that I needed to talk to was out of the office and to call back tomorrow:dizzy:.. I will try tomorrow and keep you posted. I did not try Lexington PD yet...

If you don't get any results try this link.
They do the leg work and get back to you with an answer in writing you can print out and take with you.
http://midnr.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/MiDNR.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=2iN97bBj&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NzU5J nBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=

[det07]

Called to the Cass City Branch Office and talke to Arnie Carr.. Was told to call back to the Bay City Operations Center and ask for the Parks supervisor or call Lexington harbor master. I called Lexington Harbor and was told to call central dispatch in Sandusky to get in contact with a co. The bay city office was closed at the time.. I will keep trying.

[Jr.BowmanMI]

Make sure you are 100% legal if bowfishing is allowed. The local police may become very very picky if they tell you to leave and you show them the papers allowing you to bowfish. Alot of officers can find a way to ticket you if they become irritated. I personally would ask myself if a few lawn fertilizers are worth being Lexington's favorite person to pick on.

[det07]

Make sure you are 100% legal if bowfishing is allowed. The local police may become very very picky if they tell you to leave and you show them the papers allowing you to bowfish. Alot of officers can find a way to ticket you if they become irritated. I personally would ask myself if a few lawn fertilizers are worth being Lexington's favorite person to pick on.

I could care less about the carp.. I am more concerned with my rights... So can I bowfish Port Sanilac harbor? There are no signs posted there and I couldn't find anything in the rule guide book!

[WILDCATWICK]

I could care less about the carp.. I am more concerned with my rights... So can I bowfish Port Sanilac harbor? There are no signs posted there and I couldn't find anything in the rule guide book!

I do think it has to with that the city owns the marina and they can set the rules with in the confines of the marina. Regardless if bow fishing is considered fishing in the state of Michigan. If they ban bows with in city limits, well that would be that. I'd put the call in to them first as they apparently now own the marina.

[predator_caller]

Bowfishing bows are legal fishing equipment as long as the line is attached to the arrow. As soon as you carry that spare arrow with you: you now have a weapon/firearm. The arrow HAS to be attached by means of a line or string. I have went through this with three of michigans citys already. (traverse city, clare, and gladwin). A fishing license gives you the right to fish. That is why you need a fishing license to bowfish not a hunting license. been there-done that. i'd press the issue to the max... You give up: you lose a potentially good spot. take care

[arcticcatet71]

I went through this same thing at Stoney Creek metro park and the LEO and superintendent of the parks told me that BOWs were not allowed inside the parks...

that said, i could not access the park waters w/o launching at the park, because you can motor into the harbor i would say you have an arguement

also the city can not ban the possession of a bow and arrow but they can ban the discharge of a firearm or bow & arrow.... (remember tho a bow and arrow is not a firearm, so they have to specify the discharge of a bow and arrow specifically)...

Good luck and dont give up on your right!!!!

[det07]

I finally got in touch w/ Lexington PD today. I called several times and left a message that was never returned. So I called central dispatch in Sandusky who patched me through to an officer in Lexington. I didn't catch his name though. I was told that the Villiage of Lexington owns within the walls of Lexington harbor and that I am not allowed to discharge a weapon in the villiage of Lexington by boat or on shore. I asked about a 13ft long handled spear that I often use and was told that it is also considered a weapon and cannot be used inside the harbor. (the spear is never thrown or leaves your hand... it is long enough to reach fish in shallow water):rant: Does this sound accurate?

I also left a message for a guy who deals w/ lakeport state park and lexington harbor Mark Symon. He actually returned my call and left me a message but I was working at the time. I called him today also but he wont be back until Mon.

I am sick of dealing w/ these people. I asked one of the harbor workers the other day about why the sign was posted. He said that some of the boaters were complaining!!! I told him I wanted to file a complaint because they were interrupting my fishing:lol:. I was just joking w/ him but it really does torque my bolts. I am sick of these yacht yuppies who can't afford to drive their boats out of the harbor so they spend all weekend on them docked inside the harbor and stick their noses in other peoples business.

[det07]

Well, I got a response from the Michigan DNR about the no bowfishing sign. Here is what they had to say....I also talked to a DNR Officer who was at work the other day. He seemed to agree w/ what Lt Cook had to say.

Response (Terry Cook) - 08/17/2009 01:32 PM
The reason that the sign was posted was that there was a group of bowfisherman who were trespassing on private docks and bowfishing right next to boats earlier this spring. The village wanted to put a stop to the bowfishing/spearing so they passed an ordinance shutting it down inside the harbor. The ordinance also included that the entire inside of the harbor as being closed to bowfishing/spearing from boats because they did not want people coming up next to the docks and bowfishing around them from a boat.

There is no state law prohibiting the activity you propose. However, similar to local jurisdictions having the authority to prohibit hunting within their jurisdiction, Lexington is claiming that they have jurisdiction inside the harbor and that is why they can shut down bowfishing/spearing. A court of law may have to decide this one.

Michigan DNR
Law Enforcement Division

[Lil' Tanker]

Det07
Your such a pot stirrer

local ordinances overide state law, go figure.

Just ask the village officer that stops everytime I am shooting my bow behind the garage.

[det07]

Det07
Your such a pot stirrer

local ordinances overide state law, go figure.

Just ask the village officer that stops everytime I am shooting my bow behind the garage.

LOL...Guess I might have to shoot carp up by you until they ban it there too...Maybe we could donate the fish to your village officer:evil: