Spotted Gar
The Spotted Gar is a prehistoric freshwater fish native to Mississippi's waters, characterized by an elongated dart-like body covered in dark spots on the head, fins, and body.
These primitive fish are armored with diamond-shaped ganoid scales and are voracious ambush predators.
Scientific Name: Lepisosteus oculatus
- Characterized by an elongated dart-like body covered in dark spots on the head, fins, and body.
- These primitive fish have olive green backs with whitish undersides and are armored with diamond-shaped ganoid scales.
- In Mississippi waters, they typically weigh 1-5 pounds but can reach up to 20 pounds and over 3 feet in length.
Fishing in Mississippi
Pearl River
Yazoo River
Mississippi River
Leaf River
Bouie River
Ross R Barnett Reservoir
Lake Castle
Big Black River
Pelahatchie Creek
Lake Dockery
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Widely distributed throughout Mississippi's river systems, particularly common in the Mississippi River basin from southern Minnesota to Alabama and western Florida.
- They inhabit slow, clear waters of rivers, lakes, and occasionally brackish waters.
Key Locations
- Particularly around Enid Lake where the state record was caught, areas near river confluences.
- Widely distributed throughout Mississippi's river systems, particularly common in the Mississippi River basin.
Specific Spots
- Focus on shallow, weedy areas of rivers and lakes, fallen logs, submerged branches, shoreline shallows with vegetation, and areas near river confluences.
- They prefer shallow areas (0-5 meters deep) with abundant aquatic vegetation like cattails, pondweed, milfoil, and water celery.
Spotted Gar FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Gar in Mississippi?
Traditional lures include small in-line spinners, spoons, spinner baits, and minnow-imitating plugs. Live bait works well with minnows, cut bait, or crayfish presented under a float.
What flies work for Spotted Gar in Mississippi?
Effective fly patterns include small Clouser's Swimming Nymph in olive or orange with extra flash, Damsel Fly Nymphs for weedy areas, weightless Woolly Buggers, Crazy Charlie patterns, and terrestrial patterns like grasshoppers and beetles.
When is the best time to fish for Spotted Gar in Mississippi?
The best fishing for Spotted Gar in Mississippi occurs during hot summer months, particularly July and August, when water temperatures reach 70-90°F. Avoid fishing during the April-May spawning season when fish are focused on reproduction rather than feeding.
How do you catch Spotted Gar in Mississippi?
The most common Mississippi technique involves rope flies or nylon thread lures that tangle in their teeth, though conventional hooks targeting the soft mouth corners can be effective with sharp Gamakatsu SL45 Bonefish hooks. Present lures with slow strips or erratic movement to trigger strikes.
What do Spotted Gar eat?
These voracious ambush predators feed primarily at night on fish (57.5% of diet consists of species like golden topminnow, warmouth, bluegill, and spotted sunfish), crustaceans including crayfish and shrimp, and insect larvae.
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