Freshwater
Bowfin
Amia calva
- Peak season
- Spring and Summer
- Length range
- 30–85 cm
- Weight range
- 0.5–8 kg
- Typical depth
- 0–5 m
Habitat
Swamps, sloughs, and vegetated backwaters with warm, stagnant water. Can survive in low-oxygen environments.
Behavior
Aggressive prehistoric predator that ambushes prey in thick cover. Fights with violent head shakes and bulldogging runs.
Best techniques
- Topwater frogs in heavy cover
- Spinnerbaits along weed edges
- Cut bait on bottom rig
- Crawfish on Carolina rig
