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

Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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🏆 Michigan record 21 lbs 8 oz ·Steve Budnik ·Lake St. Clair ·Macomb County ·1990 All records →

📅 Best Times to Fish Bowfin

Jan

None

Feb

None

Mar

Fair

Apr

Good

May

Excellent

Jun

Excellent

Jul

Good

Aug

Good

Sep

Good

Oct

Fair

Nov

Fair

Dec

None

🛡 Bowfin Conservation Status

Native Bowfin is native to Michigan waters. Native Michigan species with healthy statewide population. Often called "dogfish" locally. Underrated sport fish -- pound-for-pound one of Michigan's hardest fighting fish. The daily bag limit is No limit.

🌿 Bowfin 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. DNR records show Bowfin present in 21 Michigan water bodies. Bite activity rates Good or better in Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep.

🎣 Best Bowfin Techniques

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

🪱 Best Bowfin Baits

Large minnows, frogs, crayfish, surface lures, cut bait

📋 Bowfin Fishing Regulations in Michigan

No limit

Daily limit

No limit

Possession limit

Year-round

Season

Also called dogfish or mudfish. Rarely targeted intentionally but caught incidentally. No bag limits.

⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually. Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.

🌊 Where to Catch Bowfin in Michigan

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

Most valuable for Bowfin anglers

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Full stocking history across all 21 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.

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📋 Quick Bowfin Facts

Common name: Bowfin
Scientific name: Amia calva
Typical size: 2-8 lbs, 18-28 inches
Michigan record: 21 lbs 8 oz
Best season: Spring, Summer
Status: Native
Listed in: 21 Michigan lakes
Consumption: Eat with caution

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for Bowfin

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