Freshwater
Alligator gar
Catán aligátor (pejelagarto)
Atractosteus spatula
At a glance
3–6 ft.
Surface to 20 ft.
Mid-day sun often brings them to the surface where you can see them.
3 areas
Know it
Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.
- Identification
Giant gar with a broad, alligator-like snout and two rows of large teeth in the upper jaw.
- Typical size
3–6 ft.
- Maximum size
Over 8 ft and 300 lb.
- Diet
Mostly fish, plus crabs and crayfish.
- Behavior
Hangs near the surface in slow, warm water and can gulp air; strikes fast then runs.
Find it
Where, when and how deep to look.
- Where to find it
Found from Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX) and Mexico Gulf Coast. Big rivers, bayous and bays from the Florida Panhandle to Texas and Mexico.
- Habitat
Big rivers, bayous and bays from the Florida Panhandle to Texas and Mexico.
- Depth
Surface to 20 ft.
- Fishing depth
Surface to 6 ft.
- Best season
Warm months are best.
- Best time
Mid-day sun often brings them to the surface where you can see them.
- Best tides
Slow, calm backwaters are better than strong current.
- Best weather / conditions
Hot, calm days.
Bait & gear
What to tie on and what to throw.
- Best bait
Large cut carp, mullet or buffalo.
- Best artificial lures
—
- Tackle setup
Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting.
- Hook size
Treble hooks with cut bait, or a frayed nylon rope lure that tangles in the teeth (no hook).
- Line
15–30 lb.
- Leader
Wire or heavy mono — the teeth are sharp.
BigJoe's setup for Alligator gar
The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.
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Catch it
Step by step, from first cast to landing.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Go where it lives: Big rivers, bayous and bays from the Florida Panhandle to Texas and Mexico.
- Rig up: Medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting. Wire or heavy mono — the teeth are sharp.
- Pick your bait: Large cut carp, mullet or buffalo. Lures: —
- Fish it: Heavy tackle with big cut bait under a float; let it swallow before setting.
- Time it: Mid-day sun often brings them to the surface where you can see them. Slow, calm backwaters are better than strong current.
- Fishing techniques
Heavy tackle with big cut bait under a float; let it swallow before setting.
- BigJoe's tip
Release giants carefully — they can live over 50 years.
- Catch and release
Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.
Clean & cook
Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.
- Edibility
Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
- Cleaning
Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
- Cooking suggestions
Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.
Stay safe & legal
Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.
- Safety warnings
Needle-sharp teeth. The eggs (roe) are TOXIC to people — never eat them.
- Regulations
PROTECTED in Florida — alligator gar may not be harvested or possessed. Texas, Louisiana and Mexico have their own rules. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.
- Conservation
Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.
Where it's found
Tap an area to open its fishing map.