There's a park called Bodcau in NW LA that is thick with bowfin. I used to go out for fun in my pirogue and fish for them with a white spinnerbait. Big ones would drag my boat left and right during the fight. Loads of fun.

As an adult I've never eaten them. I was told I ate most of one when I was young. My mother said you skin them, but can't get the meat wet or it will ruin it. You have to pat it dry with towels or something. She said my uncle put mustard and fish fry on it and I went to town...