Bowfin have a limited range in New York State. They live in Lake Champlain, the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River and its larger tributaries, and a few other large water bodies in Central New York. Similar to bullheads and longnose gar, bowfin can live in waters with low oxygen levels. Their modified swim bladder is lung-like, enabling bowfin to gulp air at the water's surface. Spawning occurs in May and June.
Adult males build nests by biting and tearing out leaves and stems of rooted vegetation.
After the eggs hatch, the young attach to nearby vegetation with the aid of an adhesive tip on the snout. Male bowfin stay and guard the eggs and young for up to several weeks. Although bowfin put up a good fight when hooked, only a few anglers fish for them. Juveniles make interesting and colorful specimens in a fish tank. They have an elongated body with a single prominent chin barbel much the same as bullheads, and long dorsal and anal fins similar to those of eels.