What is a longnose gar?
What is a longnose gar?
Longnose gar are ancient freshwater fish known for their:
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🦷 Long, narrow snout filled with sharp teeth
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🐊 Armor-like ganoid scales
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🫁 Ability to breathe air (they surface to gulp oxygen)
They’ve changed little for millions of years and are found throughout rivers, lakes, and backwaters in much of North America.
Where do longnose gar live?
📍 Habitats
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Slow-moving rivers
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Backwaters & oxbow lakes
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Shallow flats near vegetation
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Warm, low-oxygen waters
They often cruise just below the surface, especially on hot days.
How are longnose gar caught?
🎯 1. Bowfishing (Most Popular)
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Gar frequently surface, making them ideal bowfishing targets.
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Common at night with lights or during calm daylight conditions.
✔ Highly effective
✔ Selective harvest
✔ Very popular in rivers & reservoirs
🎣 2. Rod & Reel (Specialized)
Gar are tricky because their bony mouths make hook-sets difficult.
Common methods:
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Live bait (shad, minnows)
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Cut bait
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Rope lures (hooks-free fibers tangle in teeth)
✔ Requires patience
✔ Often results in catch-and-release
🕸️ 3. Nets (Limited / Regulated)
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Some commercial or management removals use nets.
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Regulations vary widely by state.
Best time to catch longnose gar
📅 Season: Late spring through summer
🕒 Time of day: Early morning, late afternoon, or night
☀️ Conditions: Hot, calm weather when gar surface to breathe
Are longnose gar good to eat?
🍽️ Yes — with preparation
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Firm, white meat (similar to chicken or lobster)
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Scales are extremely hard and must be removed carefully
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Eggs (roe) are toxic and should never be eaten
Why longnose gar matter
🌿 Native predator — helps balance fish populations
🧬 One of the oldest living freshwater fish species
🎯 Popular for sport, bowfishing, and education
⚠️ Often misunderstood but not dangerous to humans
Quick facts
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Can live 20–30+ years
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Reach 6 feet in rare cases
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Scales were once used as arrowheads
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Can survive in water most fish cannot
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