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Scientific Name
Lepisosteus osseus
Other Names
Needlenose gar, Billyfish, Pin-nose gar, and Scissorlips
Description
Longnose gar have an elongated body with a long, narrow snout and black spots on the fins and sides. The sides and back are dark brown or olive green with the belly a white color. Longnose gar normally grow longer than 3 feet, and often reach lengths of over 5 feet. Their weight is usually around 20 pounds, but they can reach weights of up to 40 pounds. Females grow faster and live longer than males. Males usually live 11 years but can live up to 17 years. Females, on the other hand, can live up to 22 years with most living longer than 17 years. In fact, longnose gar can live up to 30 years in captivity.
Habits and Habitat
A longnose gar’s diet consists of fish, particularly shad and sunfishes. Longnose gar are normally found in medium to large rivers but also inhabit oxbow lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. These fish spawn in the spring in shallow water ranging from 62ºF to 70ºF.
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record is 40 pounds, caught by J.E. Bennett in Grenada Lake Spillway in 2004.
Fishing Fact
Longnose gar often tangle themselves in nets, and are caught by using nylon threads to snare the teeth. Longnose gar often jump repeatedly when hooked. They are also targeted by bowfishers. Some people prefer gar meat fried or smoked.