This is my first pic post so let me know if it works. My name is Dan or TCcat. Im in the first photo with the redhorse, my lady got the other one. The other photo is a friend with what we identified as a bowfin. It had the spot and body shape but the fins were really green. We were out cattin and it hit on cut bait. It was caught just in front of the minnehaha creek mouth which I would guess has something to do with it. Hate to give away a spot but I was wondering if any of you guys have caught them on the mississippi or if this is location specific?
Yep everything looks just fine in your post. I think Bowfin is in all waters of the Mississippi. Including the back waters and any tributaries. They sure put up a fight dont they? Now back to my coffee.
-------------------- Clarence Chapman
"Though you cannot go back and make a brand new start, my friend.
Anyone can start from now and make a brand new end."
(John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leader Within You)
Bowfin are a blast to catch and they grow to a good size. When a person takes the time to look one over keeping an open mind, there markings and colors are way cool.
-------------------- Bret Clark - IDO Ice Pro Staff "Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway."
Definitely a dogfish you got there pardner! It always disturbs me when they seem to look at you when you are taking out the hook. My first one was while fishing for sunfish in North Center lake out by Chisago, I was about 9 years old and it scared the crud outta me!
-------------------- It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming. ~John Steinbeck
They are the ugliest animal on this earth and all over the Mississippi River. I had never seen one either till this:
I have been chastiesed by everyone for not killing it, What is the current practice on that. Word is they are treated as an invasive species and eat all of the new fry of other fish..
These are NOT an invasive species. They are not considered 'game fish' per se, but they have as much right as any fish to swim the river.
-------------------- It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming. ~John Steinbeck
Bowfins are native fish. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you have to kill them. That kind of attitude makes me mad. "It's not what I was fishing for. Kill it." Argh.
They aren't considered "gamefish," but they are more fun to catch than bass or walleye.
-------------------- The two best times to fish are when it's rainin' and when it ain't.
-------------------- "We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you." -Jeff Warner
I lipped a northern pike...ONCE! (and only once! )
Bowfin, ( amia calva) are native to both the Missouri and MIssissippi river drainages. Typically folks think they're not 'worthy'...but those folks also talk about how they 'smash tackle'...sounds like a great sportfish!
There are sites dedicated to them if you look about.
As for trash fish, I've started to get the impression that some folks, as you go farther north, see everything that's NOT a walleye as TRASH...
Yes it is a crazy, mixed up world in which we live.
Hey guys, I've caught quite a few bowfin in this spot i have down by the MN River. Went out last night and got one going 8-10 lbs. Had one on couple years ago pushin 12-15 lbs. Just wondering what the biggest is that people have caughten here.
I think my biggest was around 8 lbs... didn't get an exact weight on it. He didn't want to sit still long enough for the scale to stabilize. He had already trashed my lure, wrecked my cheapie spinning reel, cut my line while he was on shore, and was working on destroying my net when I decided to just let him get back to his business.
-------------------- The two best times to fish are when it's rainin' and when it ain't.
haha yah they definetly do a number on my spinner baits when I catch them. I just checked it out and the state record is 10 lb 15 oz. I ALMOST HAD IT! not that i would have brought that thing in anywhere to get it checked but whatever. . .i got a little backwater spot that we just hammer them. and then on top of those we'll get some decent northern (even gotten 2 40"s)..last night i got a nice mix, 1. 3-4lb catfish 2. 18" sauger 3. 5lb northern 4. 4 lb bowfin 5. 8 lb bowfin 6. 8-10 lb northern...then to top off the night my buddy missed a 40" + northern at about 9:30pm.
I have a buddy who caught one two years ago around 7 Lbs. thought he had a nice size pike on the end until he pulled it out of the water. I told him if he caches one again I'm going to have it mounted for him, and put over his bar at home, and he'll have to have a sign made up that says Welcome to the Bowfin Bar. Man that would be one ugly mount.
-------------------- When I'm not fishing I'm on IDO wishing I was fishing.
probably would be a cool lookin mount though if the taxidermist got some good colors in there. . .and would probably bring up a lot of conversations about it being probably NO ONE has a mount of a bowfin
I'd love to get on a mess of bowfins. You can't argue that they are not the meanest fish you can catch. I remember finding one spawning in a backwater area off Mille Lacs. He built a nest in some cattail roots. I angered him enough to take the crawler, but the hook only found bone. My brother and I also caught one while fishing for bass in a drainage ditch (canal) in Florida. The hooks kept coming back with the points bent. Then my brother was able to hook into one that grabbed the shiner.
One man's ugly is another man's cool.
-------------------- Some people like fishing, I prefer catching.
-MPLSPUG- send me a message, I'll take you to a great spot...on top of catchin great size bowfin, i always get a nice mix of species (northern, cats, walleye/sauger, sheepers! and muskie)...headin to my "secret spot" tonight ill try makin the report tomorrow!
Quote: Sure, no one will offer to take me out catfishing, but I get flooded with offers to catch dogfish!
(pm sent) All fish are good fish.
Pug - move to the north metro and you and I can best friends.
-------------------- It has always been my private conviction that any man who pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming. ~John Steinbeck
pug, message sent. . .you know any spots around bloomington for good cattin??? I have never REALLY gone out for cats but would love to try sometime...i got a little 16 footer with a 28 horse that can be fun to take out.
I know a few spots. I'll be raring to go again in August, but I was in between jobs, so I have to choose when I can go catting. I know a couple of other guys I need to get out with too. Phil? Marc? I need that PB.
-------------------- Some people like fishing, I prefer catching.
bowfin
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