Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

Spotted Gar is a long, narrow North American gar with a spotted body and sharp tooth-filled snout. It lives in slow, shallow freshwater and is an ambush predator that often lurks among weeds and submerged cover.

Freshwater

Spotted Gar reference image — Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Olive to brown body covered with round dark spots on the head, body, and fins
Very long, narrow snout filled with sharp teeth
Ganoid diamond-shaped scales and a cylindrical, torpedo-like body

Habitat

Slow rivers, backwaters, oxbows, sloughs, marshes, and vegetated lake margins in warm freshwater; usually in quiet, shallow water with abundant submerged plants.

Bait notes

Live minnows, small sunfish, cut bait, and soft-bodied lures that mimic baitfish can all work. Natural baits fished near weeds or the surface are often best.

Behavior

An ambush predator that feeds on small fish, crayfish, and insects near the surface or in cover. It often lies still, then snaps quickly at passing prey, especially in warm, calm water.

Caution

Sharp teeth and hard, bony jaws can cause injuries; handle carefully. Flesh can contain many fine bones, and local regulations may treat gar as rough fish or set specific harvest rules.

Fishing notes

Target shallow, weedy backwaters and fish slowly along weed edges, lily pads, and timber. Use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon because of the gar's teeth and be prepared for bony jaws when hooking and landing.