Bowfin are Big Beauties

Back during the summer of 2000, my dad and I caught one of the strangest looking fish we’ve ever seen in our lives.“What the heck is that!?!” we shrieked, after releasing it. After some research at the local library a few hours later, we unknowingly and likely released the next Wisconsin state record bowfin, a definite 13 pounder back into the Minocqua Chain of lakes. It took a slip bobber rig with minnow.

That bowfin was much larger than any of these specimens.

Every spring and summer on shallow, weedy, eutrophic lakes and backwaters, we run into a fair number of bowfin. They are challenging to catch and fight like hell. Most of our northwoods fish run between 5 to 10 pounds. I know for certain we’ve caught and seen a few surpassing the current Wisconsin state record.

Some are caught by accident. Others are caught with intention to catch. We catch them sight fishing, and blind casting. Known to break tackle, heavy bass tackle works great. Flippin sticks with jig and pigs and creature baits are deadly. Loud, noisy topwaters, spinnerbaits, and surface frogs grab their attention too. When hooked, they fight harder than any other freshwater species. They are strong, muscular, and have armor.

When landed, they can be difficult to handle. They may be grabbed by the gill plate. Hold them tightly.

Word of caution – bowfin are known to cause allergic skin reactions. I have never had this problem. But if you suffer from known allergies, handle them with gloves.

Bowfin don’t receive enough credit or fan-fare. They are unfairly treated as a trash fish. I’ve gotten hate-mail about them. The attitudes and beliefs of certain anglers are problematic in many parts of the country in which individuals lack the evidence and proof to support their beliefs.

Dogfish. You didn’t put it back, did you? They kill other fish for fun. We always slit the bellies before we throw them back. They are fun to catch though. Strong like bull.

First you idiot, bowfin don’t kill other fish for fun.

Like most other more desirable freshwater species of fish such as bass, muskies, pike and walleyes, they survive by eating smaller prey fish.

Bowfin are predatory scavengers. Their duties are to clean up the lakes which is something that other desirable species of fish cannot do.

While haters are gonna hate, bowfin are truly loved too.

Bowfin are usually not considered a good food fish compared to more popular freshwater gamefish species, such as pike or trout. They are generally regarded as trash fish by sportsmen in the United States, because they eat more desirable species, including crayfish. However, because bowfin are a native species, they should not be killed unnecessarily. This is the only surviving member of the Amiidae. They are species that has survived hundreds of years. This is a cool native fish. Let ’em swim.

In northern Wisconsin, where angler sentiment is exceptionally bad towards these game fish, the treatment of these fish is a problem. I have visited boat landings where I have seen fish disposed on shore. I have also seen these fish hung on the bulletin boards and signs of sophisticated access sites as well. For what reasons are these actions made?

People who do that are deserving of their fishing privileges revoked.

I severely frown upon anglers who dispose of these fish and blatantly kill them following incidental catches. Do that and you’re never welcomed to join my boat.

Bowfin are native species that have ancestry to the prehistoric period. They are more native than any carp species that have invaded and infested most major waterways in North America. They are also more native to our North American waters than the Great Lakes salmon species. You better believe it.

Northern bowfin will live 20 years or more.

They are highly adaptable species of fish that can tolerate most environments. However, they fare best in eutrophic waters (warm and weedy, less oxygenated) which are habitats commonly found in the large shallow bays and backwaters of lakes, and rivers.

I don’t understand what makes people want to eradicate bowfin. Is it fun? Are you that bored with yourself that you are longing for excitement or something?

If anglers seriously think these fish are bad for the particular bodies of water they dwell in, they are sadly mistaken. Another common mistake anglers make is their confusion in thinking that these fish are the much destructive, invasive snakeheads rather than innocent bowfins.

Snakeheads have teeth, can travel on land, and have a darkish black purple coloration mixed with white with pink and red tints. Bowfin do not, cannot, and are none of the above.

I fish for just about everything that swims. My favorite “strange looking fish” to fish for is undoubtedly the silver and river redhorse which populate many of our clean northern rivers, tributaries, and streams. Followed by that is definitely the bowfin, though rare to find where I fish. For those of us in North America, bowfin add another dimension to freshwater angling. They are one of the coolest, most outrageous looking fish species in found in the inland freshwater of this continent. They add species diversity to many of our freshwater ecosystems. In addition, they offer anglers something different in terms of angling pursuits.

I am an advocate for all species of fish, and I enjoy fishing for most species of fish. There is no reason whatsoever why any species of fish other than Asian Carp should be killed on purpose, or eradicated due to false beliefs.

To learn more about bowfin, I encourage you to read the writings of my friend, David Graham. He is a long-time friend and colleague, and one of the best extreme fishermen whom I know. He is an advocate for these fish and he certainly has the knowledge and credentials to back all of it up. Read his articles on bowfin fishing and information. I highly recommend his stories story to all who may suffer from false hatred towards these fish, or may think that these fish should be killed for the sake of killing.

No fish is a “trash fish”.

These are beautiful creatures.

I enjoy the hell out of bowfin and their gamesmanship, and so should you.

https://www.boundless-pursuit.com/