bowfin availability?

[wild caught]

recently i went to a marsh area with some buddies just to look around and toss the cast net around. i brought up a bowfin around 7 inches. i had never caught one and was extremly excited, i almost brought him home but knew i didnt have room

i would really like to get one some day when i have room for a monster tank, but im concerned about their availability. are they common? was my encounter rare? can you buy them easily?

in other words, how easily can i get another one of theese guys?

i live in illinois btw, incase that matters

thanks for help

 

[teleost]

There are few native fish vendors in the US. If you keep your eyes peeled in the spring, you'll see them available at that time from some of the guys on the native fish boards. If you see them at that time, do not hesitate as this is the only season you can get young fish at a low price. The maintenance on this fish is high from an aquaculture point of view, so few remain after the initial stocking. Basically, this is a seasonal fish.

 

[---XR---]

i'd have a 8'x30" minimum on hand, these guys get large. i've occasionally seen some for sale on different fish related auction websites, or in the buy/sell forums on websites, if you look enough you'll find them.

 

[M|L]

I've only seen them available sporadically through the years, and small specimens are harder to come by.