Bowfin — Michigan Fishing
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Bowfin Native

🔬 Amia calva

Michigan's only living representative of a fish order dating back 180 million years. Cylinder-shaped with a long dorsal fin running nearly the full length of the back. Males display a vivid orange-ringed black spot at the tail base. Can breathe air using a primitive lung-like swim bladder -- it will drown if prevented from surfacing. Explosive fighter when hooked on light tackle.

2-8 lbs, 18-28 inches
Typical size
21 lbs 8 oz
Michigan record
Spring, Summer
Best season
21
Listed lakes

🛡 Conservation Status

Native Native Michigan species with healthy statewide population. Often called "dogfish" locally. Underrated sport fish -- pound-for-pound one of Michigan's hardest fighting fish.

🌿 Habitat & Behavior

Weedy bays, shallow lakes, slow-moving rivers, and backwaters statewide. Tolerates warm water and low oxygen levels better than most Michigan fish. Often shares habitat with northern pike and largemouth bass in dense vegetation.

🎣 Best Techniques

Live or cut bait (suckers, chubs), large spinners, swimbaits, and topwater lures near thick weed edges. Use wire leader -- bowfin have sharp teeth.

🌊 Where to Catch in Michigan

Lake County Population Notes
Brevoort Lake
4,179 acres
Mackinac Good Called "dogfish" locally
Fletcher Pond
8,600 acres
Montmorency Good Called "dogfish" locally
Hamlin Lake
5,000 acres
Mason Good Called "dogfish" locally
Houghton Lake
20,044 acres
Roscommon Good Called "dogfish" locally
Indian Lake
8,689 acres
Schoolcraft Good Called "dogfish" locally
Lake Cadillac
1,141 acres
Wexford Good Called "dogfish" locally
Lake Columbia
821 acres
Jackson Good Called "dogfish" locally
Lake Fenton
937 acres
Genesee Good Called "dogfish" locally
Lake Gogebic
13,380 acres
Gogebic Good Called "dogfish" locally
Lake Mitchell
2,580 acres
Wexford Good Called "dogfish" locally
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
Macomb Good Called "dogfish" locally
Magician Lake
755 acres
Cass Good Called "dogfish" locally
Manistee Lake
930 acres
Manistee Good Called "dogfish" locally
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
Muskegon Good Called "dogfish" locally
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
Muskegon Good Called "dogfish" locally
Ore Lake
233 acres
Livingston Good Called "dogfish" locally
Paw Paw Lake
1,000 acres
Van Buren Good Called "dogfish" locally
Portage Lake
800 acres
Washtenaw Good Called "dogfish" locally
Stony Lake
650 acres
Oceana Good Called "dogfish" locally
Tawas Lake
1,100 acres
Iosco Good Called "dogfish" locally


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