Bowfin State Records
The record bowfin on 27 state lists, heaviest first. Bowfin fishing tournaments
| State | Species | Record | Year | Water | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Bowfin | 20 lb 8 oz | 1976 | Toledo Bend | laoutdoorwriters.com ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Florida | Bowfin | 19 lb | 1984 | Lake Kissimmee | myfwc.com ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Mississippi | Bowfin | 18 lb 14 oz | 1978 | Ross Barnett Reservoir | mdwfp.com ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Alabama | Bowfin | 18 lbs 6 oz | 2005 | Lake Tuscaloosa | outdooralabama.com ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| North Carolina | Bowfin | 17 lbs, 15 oz | 1997 | Black River | ncwildlife.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Texas | Bowfin | 17 lb 10.4 oz | 1993 | Lake Fork | tpwd.texas.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Virginia | Bowfin | 17 lbs. 8 oz. | 1964 | Chickahominy Lake | dwr.virginia.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Arkansas | Bowfin | 17 lb 5 oz | 1977 | Desha County | agfc.com ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Indiana | Bowfin | 16 lb. 8.3 oz. | 2009 | Mutton Creek | in.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Illinois | Bowfin | 16 lb 6 oz | 1984 | Rend Lake | ifishillinois.org ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Georgia | Bowfin | 16 lb, 3 oz | 2014 | Suwannee River | georgiawildlife.com ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| South Carolina | Bowfin (bowfishing record) | 15 lb 7 oz | 1994 | Santee Cooper | dnr.sc.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Tennessee | Bowfin | 15 lb 7 oz | 1983 | Reelfoot Lake | tn.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Kentucky | Bowfin | 15.08 lb | 1999 | Green River | fw.ky.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Michigan | Bowfin | 14 lb | 1981 | Crooked Lake | michigan.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| New York | Bowfin | 13 lb. 8 oz. | 2021 | Yanty Creek | dec.ny.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Wisconsin | Bowfin | 13 lbs. 1 oz. | 1980 | Willow Flowage | dnr.wisconsin.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Minnesota | Bowfin | 12 lbs 9 oz | 2012 | Mississippi River | dnr.state.mn.us ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Vermont | Bowfin (bowfishing record) | 12 Pounds, 1.5 Ounces | — | Not listed | anrweb.vt.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Ohio | Bowfin | 11.69 pounds | 1987 | Nettle Lake | outdoorwritersofohio.org ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Iowa | Bowfin | 11.69 lbs. | 1994 | Pool 10, Mississippi River | iowadnr.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| New Jersey | Bowfin | 11 lb 8.5 oz | 2017 | Mantua Creek | dep.nj.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Oklahoma | Bowfin | 11 lb 2 oz | 1983 | Hugo Lake | wildlifedepartment.com ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Connecticut | Bowfin | 9 pounds 11 ounces | 2022 | Connecticut River, Hartford | portal.ct.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Massachusetts | Bowfin | 9 lb 10 oz | 2020 | Taunton River | mass.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| New Hampshire | Bowfin | 8 lb 13 oz | 1994 | Wilson Pond | wildlife.nh.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
| Nebraska | Bowfin | 8 lb | 1982 | Dead Timber Lake | outdoornebraska.gov ↗Checked Sep 17, 2026 |
Weights are shown as each list gives them, with units spelled out. A state can hold several records here (different species, strains or fresh and salt water lists); each is listed. Record holders' names are on the linked lists.