SCIENTIFIC NAME : Lepisosteus spatula

OTHER NAMES: Gar, Garfish

RANGE: Found in the Escambia, Yellow and Choctawhatchee rivers in northwest Florida.

HABITAT: They inhabit sluggish pools and backwaters of large rivers, bayous and lakes. They rarely are found in brackish or salt water.

DESCRIPTION: They are one of the most distinctive freshwater fish species. Alligator gars are the largest of all gar species with a head that looks very much like an alligator's. They can be distinguished from all other gars species by the two rows of teeth in the upper jaw, their short-broader snout, and their size when fully grown. The body is long, slender, and olive or greenish brown (sometimes black) along the back and upper sides with white to yellow bellies. The sides are mottled toward the head with large black spots toward the rear and on the rear fins. The young have a light stripe along their back from tip of snout to upper base of caudal fin.

SIZE: They are one of the monsters of fresh waters. They can reach lengths of up to 10 feet and weights of more than 200 pounds.

FLORIDA RECORD : 123 pounds.

FOOD VALUE: None. The roe of a gar is poisonous to man, birds and other fish.

GAME QUALITIES: Because of their huge size and great strength, alligator gars are popular with anglers. They are not a fish that is caught easily because its sharp teeth will cut most lines in an instant.

TACKLE AND BAITS: They can be taken with minnows and artificial lures or during daylight by spearing (although not by spear gun) and snagging them with treble hooks. They are popular with bow-fishermen and anglers using frayed nylon cord as a lure snag, which entangles the gars teeth.

FISHING TECHNIQUES:  Still Fishing.