I thought I'd share this site with everyone that has Natives since its a great resource to find locations of fish you might be interested in collecting. I've found tons of spots for Longnose just by entering Longnose in the search box. Here is an example of what a search query could bring back to you.

"I've caught lots of gar in the Ohio fishing for cat fish. Most times they cut your line before you get them in, or close to the boat. I've caught some large ones but never fooled with them, usually just release them. Last July at the Greenup damn, they were in heavy spawn. They were like carp in May, they were everywhere on the surface. And sometimes so close to the boat you could dip them with a net if you wanted. Probably destroy your net I would imagine. So if you want to catch gar, the dams on the ohio is a good spot, and if you go during the spawn, you'll see hundreds."


Ohio Game Fishing
Another all around good site:
Nature Serve Explorer

That's a nice bit of info. I'm still looking for some more places to collect gar a little closer to home, but I'll keep that in mind.

Portage Lakes keep coming up over and over Long Lake mostly . Also I know you were looking for Bowfin and just below portage lakes in Nimisila Reservoir one was taken. Check this LINK If there are Bowfin there then there are Bowfin in the portage lakes which are only about 20 min from you.