Other Names:
Gator gar
Description
Gars are easily distinguished from other freshwater species by their long,
slender, cylindrical bodies, their long snouts, and the fact that
they are equipped with diamond-shaped interlocking (ganoid)
scales. Additionally, the dorsal and anal fins are placed well
back on the body, and nearly opposite each other. The tail fin is
rounded. Alligator gar may be distinguished from other gars by
the presence of two rows of large teeth on either side of the
upper jaw in large young and adults. Coloration is generally
brown or olive above, and lighter underneath. Lepisosteus is
Greek, meaning "bony scale," and spatula is Latin for "spoon,"
referring to the creature's broad snout.
Angling Importance
Gar have traditionally been considered rough fish by the majority of
anglers. However, for a relatively few mavericks gar fishing may
be quite an exciting and enjoyable sport. In Texas, alligator gar
up to 279 pounds have been captured by rod and reel anglers, and
over 300 pounds by trotliners. In the Southeastern part of the
state, gar are commonly accepted as a fine food fish. Alligator
gar are often taken by by bowfishers or by anglers using nylon
threads, rather than hooks, to entangle the fish's many sharp
teeth.
Biology
Little is known about the biology of this huge fish. Alligator gar are usually
found in slow sluggish waters, although running water seems to be
necessary for spawning. They appear to spawn in the spring
beginning sometime in May. Eggs are deposited in shallow water.
Young fish may consume insects. Adults feed primarily on fish,
but will also take waterfowl. This species is able to tolerate
greater salinities that other gar species and feeds heavily on
marine catfish when they are available.
Distribution
Alligator gar are present in the Gulf of Mexico coastal plain from the Econfina
River in west Florida west and south to Veracruz, Mexico. The
species range extends north in the Mississippi River basin to the
lower reaches of the Missouri and Ohio rivers. An isolated
population also occurs in Nicaragua. In Texas, alligator gar may
be found in coastal rivers and streams from the Red River west to
the Rio Grande.
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