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Fish Species - Details
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BOWFIN
(Amia calva)
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Other Common Names
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Dog fish, grinnel, brindle
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Identifying Characteristics
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The body is stout and slightly elongated.
Dark olive above with lighter sides and a cream colored belly.
The very long dorsal fin with narrow horizontal band along top margin and another near the
base helps in identification.
Lower fins are vivid green during breeding season.
Male bowfins have a black spot encircled with a yellow ring at the upper base of the tail; the
female has a spot without a circle.
In addition to gills, these fish have a modified air bladder that enables them to use surface air
and to live in polluted or stagnant water unsuitable for most fish.
The head is more or less flattened on top and the mouth is large.
The teeth are sharp and strongly set in the jaws.
Adult bowfins usually reach a length of about 2 feet and weigh 2 to 5 pounds, occasionally
reaching weights of up to 12 pounds.
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Habits and Habitat
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Generally, it is a scarce fish of no commercial value.
It prefers large, quiet, often low-quality waters.
The bowfin is primarily carnivorous, feeding largely on fishes of all kinds, frogs, crayfish, large
insects and their larvae, leeches, and other aquatic life.
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Tackle and Techniques
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Not generally sought by anglers.
Medium-weight tackle, 10- to 14-pound-test line, and steel leaders are recommended.
Fish with live bait such as large minnows and suckers.
They are dogged fighters when caught on sporting tackle, but their flesh is generally
considered poor eating.
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Current State Record
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12 pounds, 13 ounces; caught by Jeff Harrington in Basha Kill (Sullivan County) on June 5, 2000.
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© Sander's Fishing Guides, Inc.
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