Discover the Largest Bowfin Ever Caught in Louisiana

Finding them is tough, considering how well they blend into highly vegetated environments. But some anglers know what they’re doing and manage to catch them. Discover the largest bowfin ever caught in Louisiana!

Bowfin Overview

The scientific name of bowfin is Amia calva. A typical adult is about 20 to 30 inches; however, there are times when some can reach 36 inches. Smaller bowfins may weigh between five and 15 pounds whereas bigger or older bowfins can weigh up to 20 pounds. The size they grow to depends on a few factors, such as age, food supply, and gender. This is a freshwater fish.

They can live happily in swamps, shallow lakes, slow-moving rivers, and backwaters. Interestingly, they have adapted to tolerate low-oxygen environments and can thrive in highly vegetated waters. This gives them the upper hand when it comes to hunting crayfish, fish, and frogs. Plus, it ensures their survival for longer periods as they can be hard to find.

This fish is believed to have survived around 200 million years, and its sneaky ways and tolerance for low-oxygen environments are to thank! They’re actually considered living fossils. They look pretty good considering all they’ve been through! A fun fact about bowfins is they have a gas bladder that works like a lung, letting them breathe and keep enough oxygen in the inhospitable environments they live in.

Bowfin Fishing Basics

Live bait such as crayfish, worms, and minnows are excellent, but you can also use artificial lures like topwater and soft plastics as they can be highly effective. You can catch bowfin throughout the year but in the spring and in the summer, they get restless.

It’s easier to catch them during these warmer months. The best places to look for them are murky waters, shallow lakes, and structures that serve as covers for their prey to hide. Bowfins can be a little on the aggressive side, so be cautious when handling them as they can put up a fight. If you intend to release the fish back into the water make sure your hand is nowhere near its teeth!

Largest Bowfin Ever Caught in Louisiana

The Louisiana state record for a choupique (Louisiana’s name for bowfin) was caught at Toledo Bend by Brian Fant in April of 1976. It weighed 20.5 pounds!

Bowfins are not popular sport fish because they prefer to live in dirty waters and are seen as scavengers. But plenty of people enjoy fishing for them and think they are very tasty.

Largest Bowfin Ever Caught in the World

The world record for the largest bowfin was set by Robert Harmon in January 1980. His fish weighed in at 21 pounds and eight ounces. He caught it in a community lake in Florence, South Carolina.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Miroslav Halama/Shutterstock.com