July - Bringing in a bowfin

Bowfin are unique and unlike any other species we have in Ohio with an aggressive demeanor. Native to Ohio but commonly mistaken for the invasive snakehead, identifying a bowfin is simple. It has a scale-less head and elongated dorsal fin that covers half the length of its body accompanied by a shorter anal fin. Most range between brown, green and cream colors. Mature males have a significant black spot on its tail with a yellow-golden ring around it referred to as a halo. During spawn in the spring the males have prominent highlights of bright lime green/turquoise on their pelvic, anal and pectoral fins giving them a beautiful rainbow effect. Nests are guarded by the male longer than other fish species for about a month. Bowfin are ambush predators with plenty of sharp teeth preferring vegetative backwaters, swamps and can withstand turbulent lakes. The closest relatives to the bowfin are gar which have the ability to exchange gases within their gills allowing them to breathe in air and water allowing them to remain in low oxygenated waters, surfacing to gulp air. Bowfin have been aged to 30 years and date back over 200 million years ago. These prehistoric fish are covered in slime making them almost impossible to hold onto. If you get lucky enough to fight one of these on the end of your rod, be sure to check your drag to make sure it is not too tight or too loose. They are quick in the water giving you an intense fight the whole time. Bringing in a bowfin is a magical experience and an even better one during spawn to see these amazing colors. We have gotten lucky bringing them in this year on fresh cut bait on lakes and river outlets. These fish aren’t really known as a sport fish here but are highly underrated as one. Article by Allison Benoit - Benoit Fishing Outdoors with Allison and Gabbie Benoit!

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