What is this??!?

[[enjoyable_attempt]]

Can anyone tell me what this is? My father caught this in a north east ohio river, I've never seen one before and niether has he in the 20 years hes been fishing and the 10 ive been fishing. Is it a bowfin?

 

[kevinfleming21]

That is a bowfin. I would not put my finger in that mouth either lol.

 

[manlyfish]

bowfin

 

[jag123]

Yep, Amia calva - what did he hit? He looks nice sized too.

 

[[enjoyable_attempt]]

He was 26 inches and hit a worm

 

[manlyfish]

nice!

 

[zpetrichko]

i always get the snake head and bowfin mixed up for some reason.... nice fish either way. i had a buddy catch one up in vermont this summer.

 

[Mikeberg]

You can tell its a male because it has a halow arround the spot by the tail. I seen fish with either yellow or orange haylows. Female Bowfin just have a dark spot or no spot.

 

[obie83]

what river i live in ne oh