Bowfin in Wisconsin
bowfin under Wisconsin rules.
- None; no minimum lenlimit
- 13 lbs. 1 oz.record
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An overview of Wisconsin bowfin
The Bowfins (Amiidae) include Bowfin (Amia calva), which the Wisconsin guide counts as rough fish. The guide sets None; no minimum length for general inland waters, open Open all year.
The Wisconsin hook and line record is 13 lbs. 1 oz., from Willow Flowage in 1980.
What the WDNR writes about bowfin
“The bowfin (or dogfish) has a large mouth equipped with many sharp teeth. Its large head has no scales. The dorsal fin is long, extending more than half the length of the back. The tail is rounded. There is a barbel-like flap associated with each nostril. The back is mottled olive green shading to lighter green on the belly. The dorsal is dark green, while all others are light green. Young fish have a distinctive black spot near the base of the upper portions of the tail fin. The spot is usually margined with yellow or orange. Although it persists in adult fish, it is less prominent in females.”
- dogfishalso called
Quoted from the WDNR fish page, checked October 2026.
bowfin bag and season table, Wisconsin
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | Open all year |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Winnebago System waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Wisconsin record bowfin
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 13 lbs. 1 oz. | Willow Flowage | Oneida | 1980 |
| alternate method | 12 lbs. 4 oz. | Mississippi River | Buffalo | 2020 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Waters to fish for bowfin
Lakes to try for bowfin
- Willow Flowage4,217 acres
Rivers to try for bowfin
- Mississippi RiverCrawford
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Fish in the same family as bowfin
- WalleyePerches (Percidae)
- SaugerPerches (Percidae)
- SaugeyePerches (Percidae)
- Yellow perchPerches (Percidae)
- Northern pikePikes (Esocidae)
- MuskellungePikes (Esocidae)
- Tiger muskellungePikes (Esocidae)
- Grass pickerelPikes (Esocidae)
- Largemouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Smallmouth bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- Rock bassSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
- BluegillSunfishes (Centrarchidae)
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Axhi12, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Before you target bowfin, the answers
What minimum length applies to Wisconsin bowfin?
None; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
How much did the Wisconsin record bowfin weigh?
13 lbs. 1 oz. from Willow Flowage in 1980 (hook and line).
Which waters list bowfin?
2 waters here, starting with Willow Flowage and Mississippi River.
Is there stocking for bowfin?
The stocking summary has no rows for it.
Which family does bowfin belong to?
Amia calva, Bowfins (Amiidae); rough fish.
Are bowfin open to fishing year round in Wisconsin?
Open all year on general inland waters.
How much is a Wisconsin license to fish bowfin?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Is there a charter for bowfin?
No operator lists it.