Syracuse.com - Syracuse man catches big bowfin on Oneida Lake

[HuntingNY-News]

One of New York's most unique fish, the bowfin is the sole living survivor of a group of fishes whose fossil representatives date back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Karl L. Gasko, of Syracuse, holds up an impressive 29-inch bowfin caught by his son, Karl J. Gasko, on Oneida Lake, behind Castaways Restaurant.

The fish was caught on a minnow. According to a chart on the website of the Bowfin Anglers Group, the approximate weight was 8.5 pounds.

"One of New York's most unique fish, the bowfin is the sole living survivor of a group of fishes whose fossil representatives date back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth," according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation website.

"The features of today's bowfin differ very little from their fossil ancestors dating back 65 million years, so they offer a true glimpse into New York's prehistoric past."

For more on this unique fish, see the DEC website.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog