The Most Underrated Freshwater Fish

Everybody has had their run-ins with Bowfin, commonly referred to in some places as Dogfish, and although it is unwarranted, they have acquired quite a bad reputation.  A lot of people have been known to kill every Dogfish they catch, and this is really a terrible shame.  In fact they are one of my favorite fish to catch.

With rock hard scales and razor sharp teeth, they are a beautiful example of a streamlined predator.  They sport numerous color phases throughout the year, including bright mint green and baby blue.  Other shades vary from black to brown to gray, depending on the water color and surroundings.  A Bowfin’s true claim to fame is that it can supplement its oxygen intake by taking gulps of air.  This allows Dogfish to occupy warm stagnant water that other predator fish are unable enter, and in some cases cross minor land barriers.

Due to their aggressive nature people assume Bowfin are responsible for eating all their favorite gamefish.  In reality Bowfin along with Gar are the top predators of young carp.  Most of a Bowfin’s diet comes from young carp and dead fish and animals they find.  Bowfin are ferocious predators and have been known to launch themselves out of the water to snatch frogs or small mammals.  Also they are scavengers, and have been known to indiscriminately devour any dead carcass that they might find in the water.  With these kind of eating habits, gamefish and larger panfish are at the bottom of the menu.

Their aggressive nature provides an incredible angling experience. Their ferocious attacks will literally destroy your poorly made lures, and their fan shaped tail gives them the ultimate propulsion in the water.  If you hook into one, it’s going to be a good ride.  Dogfish will jump, change direction, and make screaming power runs to fight you.  Pound for pound they put up as good a fight as a smallmouth bass.  Keep in mind that Dogfish average 20-30 inches (a monster could be over 40) and your tackle will truly be put to the test.

Finding Bowfin is an adventure in itself.  They frequent river systems and large bodies of water, typically in shallow structure.  Often they are located in warm backwaters where other predator fish cannot survive.  My favorite Dogfish holes require a walk through the woods to small rivers and sloughs thought to hold nothing more than carp and panfish.  Despite the hike, getting back there is always rewarding.  Bowfin will attack any lure you throw at them and usually they are present in good numbers.

After the struggles of finding them and enduring the fight, I proudly let each fish return to the muddy sloughs they came from.  Bowfin have a mushy, fishy, nasty smelling meat with no value as table fare.  All the better because then they can be returned to roam the carp breeding grounds and control the carp population.

Looking for a change of pace?...especially in the heat of summer when fishing slows down?  Try a Bowfin expedition.  It may be a little extra work, but when you find them you will be rewarded with a fight and an experience of a lifetime.  Good luck fishing!