Bowfin

Bowfin

Amia calva

CommonTrophyUnique

Bowfin in Fishing Planet. Find it in Blue Crab Island, Everglades, Mudwater River and other waterways. Bait options include Shiners, Large Minnows, Small Cutbait.

How to catch Bowfin

Baits

Lures

Anniversary Shad 11 cm

Bass Jig 14 g, #3/0

Bass Jig 14 g, #4/0

Bony Shad 10 cm

Club-Series Crankbait 3.5 m, #4/0

Club-Series Glow Shad 15 cm

Club-Series Glow-Holo Crankbait 2.5 m, #6/0

Club-Series Ribbed Shad 15 cm

Club-Series Shad 10 cm

Crankbait 1 m, #2/0

Crankbait 1 m, #3/0

Crankbait 2 m, #3/0

Where to fish

Size by waterway

WaterwayFish classMaximum weight
Blue Crab IslandCommon, Trophy4.5 kg
EvergladesCommon, Trophy5 kg
Mudwater RiverCommon, Trophy5 kg
Quanchkin LakeCommon, Trophy, Unique9 kg

Fishing guide

Bowfin (Amia Calva) are freshwater fish native to North America and related to Gars. Commonly found throughout much of the eastern United States and southern Canada, including the basins of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Bowfin prefer to inhabit lowland rivers, lakes, swamps and backwater areas. Bowfin can breathe both water and air, just like Gars. These fish have elongated cylindrical bodies with olive to brown sides and back with a dark camouflaged pattern and a light colored underside. The average weight of an adult Bowfin is usually around 2 to 6 kg (4 to 13 lb), but at times specimen weighing as much as 9 kg (20 lb) can be caught. Bowfin are ambush predators and usually come out to the shallows at night to prey on fish and invertebrates such as crawfish, mollusks, and aquatic insects.

If you prefer to use natural baits, then the best way to catch Bowfin would be to use Large Cutbait on a size #4/0 hook.

If you are more into artificial lures, you should go for some Crankbaits.

The most successful lure is Dim Green / Glow Green Crankbait 2.5 m, #3/0.