1st Bowfin/Dog fish in kawartha

[Motojoe]

Was fishing with my wife today, actually we were targeting for Bass, we arrived the lake around 2pm, after we caught a few fish on skitter pop than I decided try the sub surface walk the dog, when I taking it back to the boat on the second cast, I saw something in long shape came out from the weed and grab my lure and turn away, it pull very hard, I thought It was a pike. I fight with it for 5 mins, I can't tell what is it until it get closer to the boat. My wife was standing by with the net and net it fast. This thing is green and strong. It's my first time caught a Bowfin in green color, I remember many many years ago I caught one in cooks bay but in black and silver.

[scottburgess14]

Bowfin are some of the best fighting fish to catch! They will make a reel scream like no tomorrow and if you aren't paying attention can snap a line just as quick!

Nice catch.. weird coloring though!

[Putaforkinya]

Wow that is green.
Never seen one that colour before. Maybe it's a hybrid or new species.
Actually almost looks like a dolphin fish/ mahi mahi in colour

[fishmagnet]

Looks like he's been into the weed for sometime now to make his color like that...

[Elrik]

That's the colour they take on in spawning season. Pretty crazy if you ask me. Nice catch!

[casacrow]

That's the colour they take on in spawning season. Pretty crazy if you ask me. Nice catch!

Yup. The bright green and spot on the tail tells us it's a male.

Females are very dark this time of year. Look black in the water.

[FatRap]

Not only the color, it's not very often you hear about them hitting surface lures as they are usually bottom dwellers........nice catch

[Motojoe]

Lucky it's not snakehead, if not all the bass will be eaten by them!

[chazD]

What lake was that if you don't mind me asking?

[Motojoe]

Lower Buckhorn.

[chazD]

Thanks Motojoe.👍 interesting looking fish that's for sure. Would that be considered an evasive species to the Kawartha Lakes?

[Motojoe]

I don't think so and you can found MNR did know that they are here.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/bowfin