Where to find Bowfin in Ottawa

[Seabass81]

One of my friends who works at the museum is wanting me to catch him a bowfin within city limits. I have seen them in various places but never here . Anybody ever catch one on the Ottawa or Rideau? Any tips will be appreciated .


John

[Maple]

I've caught one bowfin in Constance Bay. Not in city limits but they are in the river, despite what the authorities say.

[The Don]

John ...Im pretty sure these are what we use to call "Mud Puppies" ...many years ago we use to catch small ones in the Valley Stream creek....Its off of Baseline road West of Greenbank on the South side by Monteray Dr......They were never very large maybe 6" long at max.......But that was a 25+ yrs ago.....Thats the only place I have ever heard of them locally...........Don....

[tbone1088]

I just caught a mudpuppie today in the city, also caught one ice fishing last year at shirley's bay. Very cool creatures move so quickly on land and in the water.

[River Monster]

I've never seen them in the Rideau, But i have heard of the odd one in Ottawa River. Its a bit of a drive out of the city but the st. Lawrence has a good population of them. I usually target them a few times in the spring. warm calm days i find the best to fish for them, I see them in back bays before the weeds start to grow. I basically cruse around and spot fish them with a soft plastic. They are a tough fish, and put up a great fight. I have had them straighten out owner hooks on me.

[MichaelGA]

Thread's about two different things at the moment.

Here is a Mudpuppy

http://www.ontarionature.org/protect/sp ... dpuppy.php

Here is a Bowfin

http://ontariofishes.ca/fish_detail.php?FID=10

For everything fish about the National Capitol Region - Brian Coad has the best information.
http://www.briancoad.com/ncr/contentsncr.htm#Amiidae
Great Summary of the Fish and Habitat etc. (very complete)

[Seabass81]

thanks for the info so far, its gonna be a tough mission to accomplish but im up for the challenge.

[Alby]

Aren't bowfin also known as "ling" ?

[RyanW]

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[RyanW]

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[RJ]

I've never heard of Bowfin in the Ottawa or the Rideau other than Maple's contention he caught one. Some of the Rideau Lakes further down the chain have em but within city limits will be tough if not impossible. I've caught a few on the St. Lawrence and those Rideau Lakes but each time have been incidental catches.

RJ

[MichaelGA]

Here is a Burbot (also known as Ling or Eelpout in the USA) part of the Cod family.



Here is the relavent page where the pics come from.
http://www.briancoad.com/ncr/contentsncr.htm#Gadidae

[MichaelGA]

@RJ Bowfin are a fairly common aquarium species so I would speculate that they are simply survivors / releases by owners who found they got too big! (just my guess though)

[tr21chris]

^^^^not trying to be rude, but your guess is wrong.

[zippyfx]

Here is a link to the bowfin range map:

http://www.ontariofishes.ca/fish_detail.php?FID=10

Bowfin anglers group:
http://www.bowfinanglers.com/


I have heard of them being caught from Montreal to Toronto. A guy I know catches them regularly at the Toronto Islands.