Lakes with Bowfin

Hi all, 

I'm in central WI (Stevens Point) and am looking to get into some bowfin. Does anybody know of lakes (specifically lakes, I know the Wisconsin River is right there) in the area that have a lot of bowfin, or that have big bowfin? I'm willing to drive a ways, too, if it comes down to that. It's hard to find info on "trash fish," so I figured I'd go straight to the people. Let me know!

Thanks,

Lightfoot-

Caught a couple of these some years back on lake Denoon.

Tossing a spinner bait for Bass.

I would imagine there's still some in there because the ones I caught were pretty big.

Denoon is not that big of a lake.

River chaser, properly cleaned and fried, they taste similar to a flathead or channel cat. Cleaning them is very similar to cleaning catfish.

I seen the comment about in slop water-sorry been a long time ago,probably 1990 caught one a good 18-20" throwing a mepps #5 orange blade/black tail had to been around Devil's Elbow area(Petenwell in your area) still backwater.Casted about a foot from cattails hit almost immediately probably a foot of water looking for pike.Was a surprise when got netted. Caught a few once in Eagles Nest Flowage west of Necedah,but been years...

Agree on Poygan and also Beaver Dam Lake

Go to the Mississippi River in the lacrosse area. Almost impossible not to catch one fishing for bass and pike in the slop water. Also saw a kid catch a big one next to me up on Washington island fishing for smallmouth from shore which is the complete opposite from slop water

what do bowfin taste like?

The inside of their mouth turns blue during the spawn although I don’t know if this is true with both male and female. Like catfish they love fresh filleted golden shiners.     CARPIO 

I've caught a number of them, over the years, out of Poygan - closer to the north end of the lake. Biggest maybe 8lbs. There are certainly bigger ones in there....

agree with fight better than a smallie... or just a very good fight.... my biggest probably 8lb out of Big Muskego ... they are an excellent predator and good for the ecosystem

I agree with the Willow Flowage.   I’ve caught several there in the5-10# range Using black spinner baits in shallow 3-6’ ,weedy areas. I think they fight harder than smallies.    CARPIO 

the big one I caught was no where near 13lb...   But, with so many...   the chance is there.

The last time I was fishing the Wolf Rive out of Gills Landing,  I pulled in 8 of them....  all averaged 22-24 inch with one monster just short of the 30" mark....

Which makes me think... I should check to see what the state record is... there may be an opportunity here... 

good grief....

don't know any lakes, but if you find slews on the river, they would be  hanging out in the same spots as LMB and pike... same for lakes