NCPI Workmark
Articles in regional publications that pertain to a wide range of North Carolina-related topics.

Always a Sport Fish to Me

Record #:
43215
Author(s):
Abstract:
In this article the author discusses setting up restoration of native vegetation and the building of new fish habitats in Shearon Harris. These talks were brought up during the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission meetings. The author discusses that he also had another reason for the restoration to occur which was that in the restoration of Bass habitats it will also help rebuild the onshore habitats for the Bowfin. The talk for restoration was discussed after the damage that occurred after Hurricane Mathew hit the coast of North Carolina. The author states that locals talk about how Shearon Harris is not what it used to be but the author asks what Harris will be like in the years to come. The author discusses that the vegetation restoration will bring the Bowfin and Bass back from off-shore because they use the vegetation for nesting grounds. The author says that some fisherman will be disappointed to find a bowfin at the end of their line or that they will check their North Carolina Sportfish Identification Pocket Guide and see that it is listed as a sport fish. Many state that the Bowfin does not put up much of a fight to be considered a sport fish but the author says they can list many publications that will attest to their ferocity. Even though the Bowfin is listed as a sport fish it does not have the same protections that other fish have on the same list. The author states that you can catch and kill as many Bowfin as you want unlike other fish. Lastly, the author states that there needs to be more education on this North Carolina fish because after returning to many of the places he use to fish he would find the dead bodies of many Bowfin on the shore.