Bowfin in Florida
Meet the species

Scientific name
Amia calva
Overview
Prefers swamps, or backwaters of lowland streams. They live in warm, poorly oxygenated waters.
Typical size
Big catch minimum: 28 inches or 8 lbs
At a glance
- Water
- Freshwater
- Bait
- Mudfish, another frequenlty used nickname for these fish & strike topwater and deep-running lures but are most often caught on live bait.
Florida fishing record
- Weight
- 19 lb
- Location
- Lake kissimmee, osceola county
- Date
- Oct 5, 1984
- Angler
- Jim brown
- Type
- Florida state record
Record catch notes
19.0 lb; by jim brown; on 10/5/1984; at lake kissimmee, osceola county
When to fish
Good months
January–december
Season notes
Intentional year round: Florida freshwater sport fish generally available year-round; peak months only when FWC When-to-Fish states them.
Where to fish
Water
Freshwater
Habitat
Prefers swamps, or backwaters of lowland streams. They live in warm, poorly oxygenated waters.
How to catch
Bass anglers are often surprised to find a bowfin has taken their lure. Mudfish, another frequenlty used nickname for these fish, strike topwater and deep-running lures but are most often caught on live bait. It is a better fighter, than some highly rated game fish. The flesh is jelly-like, but can be prepared smoked, fried as patties or stewed. Image credit: © duane raver & jr.
Bait
Mudfish, another frequenlty used nickname for these fish & strike topwater and deep-running lures but are most often caught on live bait.
Lures
Bass anglers are often surprised to find a bowfin has taken their lure. Mudfish, another frequenlty used nickname for these fish & strike topwater and deep-running lures but are most often caught on live bait.
Videos
- Outdated- fishing planet game,how to catch the unique bowfin in Florida guide · Open original
- Trophy bowfin everglades Florida fishing planet guide · Open original
- Life of the bowfin and how to fish for bowfin · Open original
- Bowfin (grinnel) catch clean cook · Open original
- This is a bowfin and it has been around for over 150 million years, m... · Open original
- 😎 well this is a new product that actually blew me away… introducing... · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
Sources
- Myfwc.com (3 pages)
Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.