Shortnose Gar

Small floating crankbaits twitched slowly on the surface like wounded minnows, cut bait, minnows, spinnerbaits, and spoons. Frayed nylon lures that tangle in their teeth or specialized snares can also be used.

Spring and summer months post-spawn when they're most active, particularly during hot summer weather. Avoid fishing during spawning period (April-June).

Dr.ift fishing, fly fishing, trolling, bait casting, still fishing, and spin casting. The key to success is patience - when you spot a gar near the surface, cast a baitfish-imitation plug close but not too close to the front of the gar, then let it remain still with only occasional twitches.

Feed primarily on fish but consume more invertebrates than other gar species, also eating crayfish, insects, and other invertebrates. During seasonal flooding, they exploit newly accessible floodplains to reach terrestrial prey.

Distributed in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and throughout western Kentucky, from the lower Green River basin to the Mississippi River. They inhabit a variety of waters from cypress sloughs and river bottom creeks to large rivers and major reservoirs.