Bowfin May 2026

The bowfin ( Amia calva ) is a living bridge to our planet's deep past, a relentless survivor that has outlasted the dinosaurs. Often dismissed by casual anglers as a "trash fish" or "rough fish," the bowfin is actually a marvel of evolutionary persistence and biological versatility. An Ancient Lineage

They are characterized by a long, undulating dorsal fin—from which they take their name—and a rounded tail. Males are often distinguished by a prominent black "eye spot" (ocellus) at the base of the tail, rimmed with orange or yellow, which likely serves to confuse predators. bowfin

Armed with powerful jaws and razor-sharp teeth, bowfin are aggressive ambush predators. Their diet is diverse, consisting of crayfish, mollusks, frogs, and smaller fish. The bowfin ( Amia calva ) is a