The Bowfin (Amia calva) is an aggressive freshwater fish found in many North American waters. Its primary range is east of the Mississippi River,and it is common in the Southeast. The Bowfin can grow up to more than 1 meter in length and weigh more than 20 lbs (the standing IGFA World Record is a 21 lb, 8 oz fish caught in South Carolina, but larger fish have been reported). Once considered a "trash" fish by sportsmen who mistakenly believed its presence damaged other fish populations, the Bowfin's sporting reputation has slowly begun to change as more anglers prize its ferocity, strength, and acrobatic fighting skills.
The Bowfin is a unique species and it has no close relatives among modern fishes. The fossil record dates the species over 100 million years old. The Bowfin's most distinctive characteristics are its very long dorsal fin consisting of 45 to 50 rays, the ochre/red eye or "occelus" found near the tails of male bowfin and some female bowfin,and the presence of a gular plate, a bony plate located on the exterior of the lower jaw, between the two sides of the lower jaw bone. The Bowfin can also display a variety of colors and patterns ranging from solid black to green, olive, red, cream, copper, white, and its color patterns can change according to its habitat and the season; the fins and mouths of male Bowfin turn chartreuse during spawning season, for example, and Bowfin also have spots and chain-like, reticulated markings as well as spots. The Bowfin is sometimes confused with native, endemic fish species such as the burbot and exotic, invasive species such as the northern snakehead. Anglers should learn to distinguish between them and report exotic species to the appropriate fish and wildlife authorities. On how to distinguish between them, see here:
http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg03_fishing/pg3g3.htm
Bowfin will often strike - and sometimes ruin with their powerful jaws - artificial lures, but they will also strike on live or cut fishes. They also naturally consume copious numbers of live crayfishes in many rivers. When hooked, Bowfin battle powerfully, offering a tremendous fight to the angler. Bowfin should be handled carefully. They are an ill-tempered, pugnacious fish, and consider themselves a match for anything - including a human being. Once in the boat, they will make every attempt they can at biting the fisherman - and they have a mouthful of very sharp teeth.
Bowfin are not considered a good table fish compared to more popular freshwater gamefish species, but they are prized in some areas for both their meat and their roe. As they are often at the top of local food chains and toxins accumulate in their bodies, anglers who eat them should check state fish consumption advisories.
The Bowfin goes by other names such as dogfish, mudfish, grindle, grinnel, lawyer, tchoupique, choupique.
