Ever found yourself face-to-face with a basilisk or dragged a dinosaur out of the marsh? If you’ve gone Bowfin fishing, then you may feel you have!
These fish may not be mythical, but they’re the stuff of legends. Quite literally – they’re prehistoric beasts! Hard to hook and harder to hold, Bowfin won’t stop fighting till the very end. They’ll smash your lure and roll with it, leaving you lucky to reel your hook and leader back in. Catching one is an epic journey, though your friends may think it’s your tallest fish tale yet.
How to Identify Bowfin
Bowfin (Amia calva) are an ancient species dating back to the Jurassic period. Though they’ve evolved, they still share some physical characteristics with their ancestors. Many people think of these fish as living fossils or relics. Not only are they old, but they’re also unique. They’re the only remaining species in the order Amiiformes and their closest living relatives are Garfish.
Native to the eastern US and southern Canada, Bowfin have a range stretching from the upper St. Lawrence River in Ontario and Quebec down to the Gulf of Mexico. They’re particularly abundant in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins.
Thanks to their unique, if primitive, qualities, Bowfin thrive in unusual conditions. They can breathe in air and water, allowing them to survive in low-oxygen environments. This ability means they’re equally at home in clear lakes and mucky marshes. You’ll find them in rivers, lakes, swamps, and backwaters—sometimes even in brackish waters.
In all of these places, they cozy up wherever there’s dense vegetation. That gives use to one of their other unique qualities: a long, spineless dorsal fin that allows them to swim backwards and wiggle their way through heavy cover.
Bowfin are known by many regional names, depending on the region. Mudfish, Dogfish, Beaverfish, Blackfish, Choupic, Cypress Trout, Swamp Trout, Ginnel, and Grindlea are just a few choice monikers.
They’ve also been nicknamed “junkyard dog” for their fearless fighting spirit. This makes them a true challenge to catch, especially paired with their rows of needle-like teeth and thick jawbones. In fact, they have the toughest skulls of any fish on the planet! Despite their sport value, Bowfin are classified as non-game fish and many consider them “trash.”
Bowfin Characteristics
Anglers usually catch Bowfin in the 6–10 lb range, but they can reach more than 20 pounds and grow up to several feet. These fish are long and serpentine, and true monsters measure half the body height of the anglers that catch them!
While unique in many ways, Bowfin look similar to Burbot and Snakehead—a couple of unrelated species that can inhabit the same waters. There are a few telltale signs to help you spot the difference, though:
- Fin shape. All fins along the bottom of a Bowfin are short and round, compared to the long anal fins you’ll see on Burbot and Snakehead.
- Markings. Bowfin often have a black spot (referred to as an eyespot) just in front of their tails. On females, this spot fades with age but it’s believed that males continue to sport an eyespot so that their young can find and follow them while the male protects the nest after hatching.
- Color. Bowfin are olive green with pale bellies. When spawning, male Bowfin turn a bright lime or yellow color, usually around their bellies and their fins. Burbot and Snakehead vary in color, but tend to be darker than Bowfin and are usually some shade of brown.
- Barbels. Burbot have a barbel on their chin, whereas Bowfin and Snakehead do not.
Best Bowfin Fishing Spots
Bowfin hail from an ancient era, but thankfully you don’t have to travel back in time to catch one. You may not even have to travel past your local lake, if you’re lucky! Some of the best-known spots include the following:
Mississippi River
Bowfin inhabit the Mississippi River‘s oxbows and backwaters, making them accessible in many central states. These include river-adjacent areas throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and, of course, Mississippi.
As a “rough” fish, Bowfin are generally classified as non-game fish. Many states don’t have size or bag limits for them. But you should always double-check before you start casting.
The Great Lakes
Bowfin have lived in the Great Lakes since their existence, and these are some of the northernomst waters where you’ll find them. Locals call them the most native fish to the region, with Lake Superior as the only exception.
Look for Bowfin in stagnant water with heavy vegetation. In Lakes Michigan and Huron, you can even bowfish or spearfish for them in deeper water. Once again, regulations for these non-game fish tend to be fairly lenient, but you should look into the specific rules for whichever state you’re fishing in.
Texas
At the opposite end of their range, Bowfin thrive in Texas. There are good numbers of them in the Sabine, San Jacinto, and Red River systems, as well as the lower reaches of the Brazos and Colorado Rivers. Some of the best Bass fishing lakes in the state also hold Bowfin, including Lake Fork, Lake Conroe, and Lake Tawakoni.
It should come as no surprise that Bowfin are classed as non-game fish in Texas. That means no size or bag limits at the state level, making it legal to spear and bowfish for them, too. However, certain water bodies may have specific rules, so always confirm ahead of time.
Florida
Florida is the southernmost reach of Bowfin’s range. With plenty of lakes, rivers, backwaters, and swamps to choose from, it’s no surprise the species thrives here. Some of the top spots to hook Bowfin include the Ocklawaha, Kissimmee, and the St. Johns Rivers And then, of course, there are the Everglades—a true haven for these fish that flock to heavy cover.
Florida has no state-wide size or bag limit for Bowfin, though this may vary depending on the specific body of water you’re fishing in.
New Jersey
While it’s not the first place most anglers think of when they recommend a good Bowfin spot, New Jersey definitely has its share of the action. A few choice locations include Lake Wawayanda and the Salem Canal, not to mention pretty much any tributary of the Delaware River.
There’s no size limit for Bowfin caught in New Jersey, just a bag limit of 25 fish which can be any combination of species that have no specified creel limit.
How to Fish for Bowfin
No matter where you fish for Bowfin, there’s one rule of: look for heavy cover. These fish favor vegetation so you won’t find them in open water. They swim deep at noon but feed in shallow areas by evening, making skinny water just a foot deep ideal for night fishing.
Anglers usually target Bowfin using the same spinning gear they would for Bass. Surface fishing and jigging both produce great results, while bait fishing is hands-down the most effective way to catch these fish. But that doesn’t mean you should rule out artificials. You can catch a lot of Bowfin by bouncing lures off the bottom and some experts even swear by fly fishing!
Keep in mind that these fish have thick skulls, so hooking them is a challenge. On top of that, they have scores of sharp teeth. They strike viciously and run hard, often twisting and jumping out of the water. All of this makes them thrilling to catch, and it also requires sturdy tackle.
Bowfin Fishing Gear
In most cases you can use a 6½–7′ medium-heavy spinning rod. Pair that with a 4000 series reel that can handle 35–40 lb braid. Fluorocarbon line is recommended, given that these fish have a mouth full of razors.
You’ll also want to add a steel leader, or at least a 40 lb fluoro leader with a strong hook on it. Be sure to bring a strong pair of hook removers so you can pry your hook free. And, while optional, it’s a good idea to complete your setup with a bobber rig. This will keep your bait from getting tangled in whatever weeds are on the bottom.
Fly anglers should opt for a stiff, 8 wt rod. Once again, you’ll want a sturdy leader, whether that’s 30 lb monofilament, fluorocarbon, or a wire line tied to a barrel swivel. Be sure to use a fly with a sharp hook on it.
Bowfin Baits & Lures
Bowfin rely on scent over sight, so bait is preferred. Cut bait is usually the best option, though Bowfin aren’t picky. Depending on local laws, try other fish like bluegill, along with crawfish, minnows, nightcrawlers, frogs, or salamanders.
For lures, crawfish-imitating chatterbaits work well in thick vegetation and for fishing deeper in the water column. Spinnerbaits are versatile, especially in summer, while frogs on topwater lures excel in spring. And, no matter the time of year, plastic worms will always be effective.
Fly anglers should take a page out of the same book when it comes to imitating crawfish. Use patterns like Meat Whistles or Crawfish Bite in black, olive, or orange. Minnow and bait fish patterns like Game Changers in brown, black, or green with a flash of color also attract these brutes.
When to Fish for Bowfin
If you have Bowfin in your local waters, chances are they’ll be cruising below the vegetation all year. That said, some seasons offer better chances than others.
Spring is their spawning season, so you’ll see plenty of action in the same waters as spawning Bass. Males turn bright to attract the females this time of year, and the latter aren’t shy at all! In summer and fall, Bowfin occasionally surface for air, creating great fishing opportunities. And, while winter fishing is tricky, you can get your hands on Bowfin even in the colder months!
Bowfin: Living Legends
Hard to believe Bowfin were considered “trash” fish all this time, isn’t it? Thankfully, some anglers out there had the good sense to make a sport out of catching them—and then spread the word! Now you get to follow in their footsteps and bask in an experience that some would say is out of this world! Or, at the very least, out of this era.
Have you ever landed a Bowfin? Do you target them deliberately or was it a pleasant bycatch? We’d love to hear your fishing stories in the comments below!
The post How to Go Bowfin Fishing: The Complete Guide appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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