Freshwater

Bowfin

Amia (bowfin)

Amia calva

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

2–6 lb.

Depth

1–10 ft.

Best time

Mid-day sun often brings them to the surface where you can see them.

Found in

4 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Long, olive body with a very long dorsal fin running down the back, a rounded tail and (in males) a dark eye-spot at the tail base.
Typical size: 2–6 lb.
Maximum size: About 3 ft and 21 lb.
Diet: Mostly fish, plus crabs and crayfish.
Behavior: Hangs near the surface in slow, warm water and can gulp air; strikes fast then runs.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from South Florida & Keys, Florida Atlantic Coast, Florida Gulf Coast and Northern Gulf (AL–TX). Swamps, backwaters, canals and weedy lakes.
Habitat: Swamps, backwaters, canals and weedy lakes.
Depth: 1–10 ft.
Fishing depth: Surface to 6 ft.
Best season: Warm months are best.
Best time: Mid-day sun often brings them to the surface where you can see them.
Best tides: Slow, calm backwaters are better than strong current.
Best weather / conditions: Hot, calm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live or cut shiners.
Best artificial lures: Spinnerbaits, topwater frogs and soft plastics.
Tackle setup: Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting.
Hook size: Treble hooks with cut bait, or a frayed nylon rope lure that tangles in the teeth (no hook).
Line: 15–30 lb.
Leader: Wire or heavy mono — the teeth are sharp.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Swamps, backwaters, canals and weedy lakes.
Rig up: Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting. Wire or heavy mono — the teeth are sharp.
Pick your bait: Live or cut shiners. Lures: Spinnerbaits, topwater frogs and soft plastics.
Fish it: Cast around weed edges; bowfin hit hard and fight like crazy.
Time it: Mid-day sun often brings them to the surface where you can see them. Slow, calm backwaters are better than strong current.

Fishing techniques: Cast around weed edges; bowfin hit hard and fight like crazy.
BigJoe's tip: Strong jaws full of teeth — use pliers and keep your fingers out.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp teeth and powerful jaws.
Regulations: No bag limit in most of Florida, but check FWC. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits