12 replies to this topic

[Coreyhkh]

Hey everyone next year I would like to try my hand at catching one of these strong fighting fish its one of the only fish I have never caught along with Gar and ling. I live in London and I don't mind driving a bit.

If anyone can help me for fill my quest it would be much appreciated.


Thanks Happy fishing.

[efka]

you need to talk to bowfin slayer on this board.
search the forum and you will know who to talk to.
good luck

[The Ketchican Kid]

Sounds cool, i would love to catch one too

[Majstor]

lol i've cought these fish by accident while fishing for catfish/carp, they do put up nice fights

[brandon]

ive only caught 1 in my life and there amazing fighters but they taste AWFUL dont eat that fish man there terrible

[tangledline]

best bet is to try in april, may, and june
sight fish for the bowfin in the shallows from shore or boat
use polarized glasses....look for bowfin lying on the bottom like logs...like pike do
or watch for their unmistakable cruising...they use the fin on top and it has a wave move through it that is "s" shaped.
if you find one throw a worm or a crayfish in front of it....no more than 4 feet away from its mouth
wait....and wait.....the bowfin will smell the bait and swim to it...inhale the bait....and you better set the hook well...bone for a jaw
then good luck...you are now in for the fight of your life....land the fish....and do not offer it your fingers as it will remove them.
you need to find an area near london in which they inhabit....try the bowfin sight on the internet....they have a section called maps
in this section is an area called canada....you will find red dots on a map of ontario....with stories of the fish caught there....
some of these fish were caught around orrila and georgian bay....north of collingwood....thses may be easier spots to find bowfin.
check the mnr listings for fish contained in the lakes around you ...if bowfin are listed...then try the shallows in the spring.
start here and i will answer your questions as you learn more from the sites like the bowfin site.
just google bowfin for some sites.

[Majstor]

try holland river that flows outta simcoe lake, i cought a few there while pike fishing/carp fishing

[Coreyhkh]

Great thanks next year will be fun.

Also can you point me to the mnr listings I have been looking to see if they have lists of what are in the lakes and I have been unable to find much.

[tangledline]

bowfinanglers.com
try this site out for info

[ec1]

I caught a couple accidentally while bass fishing this year....One on a spinnerbait and one on a senko...Can't help you with targetting them though. Went back once with frozenfire intentionally going for them with worms and they never showed up!

I got them in the summer in rmoderate cover, and just outside of lilypads. Maybe 5-8FOW just before dark?

[staffman]

You can catch Bowfin in the Thames river below Springbank Park

[Coreyhkh]

Really they are in the thames?? When you say below spring bank dam do you mean the side closet to downtown or on the other side.

I saw one in the fish tank at Basspro last week first time ever seeing one.

[staffman]

Really they are in the thames?? When you say below spring bank dam do you mean the side closet to downtown or on the other side.

I saw one in the fish tank at Basspro last week first time ever seeing one.

Away from downtown