Bowfin

US fish and state coverage

Amia calva

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Typical depth
Typical size
Catch minimum
28 inches or 8 lb
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Prefers swamps, or backwaters of lowland streams. They live in warm, poorly oxygenated waters.
Water type
freshwater

When to fish

Good months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Bite time of day
Eggs are laid at night and males guard them.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Prefers swamps, or backwaters of lowland streams. They live in warm, poorly oxygenated waters.
Habitat zone
freshwater
Fishing zone
freshwater

How to catch

Techniques
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 & lures

Preferred bait
Mudfish, another frequenlty used nickname for these fish, strike topwater and deep-running lures but are most often caught on live bait.
Preferred 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.

Size

Catch minimum (source context, not current legal advice)
28 inches or 8 lb

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
19.0
Record location
Lake Kissimmee, Osceola county
Record date
10/5/1984
Record angler
Jim Brown
Record catch text
19.0 lb; by Jim Brown; on 10/5/1984; at Lake Kissimmee, Osceola county

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 8 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains: no matching local listing in the source for this species.

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 4 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 1 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

For other linked states, local listings are not in the source yet; use the state and species guides above.

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Florida

State guide · State species

common name local
Bowfin
scientific name local
Amia calva
water type local
freshwater
enrichment status
enriched
range precision
unknown
record catch text
19.0 lb; by Jim Brown; on 10/5/1984; at Lake Kissimmee, Osceola county

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.