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Shortnose Gar

Shortnose Gar

The Shortnose Gar is a primitive freshwater fish native to Missouri's Mississippi and Missouri River basins. These prehistoric-looking fish have elongated, torpedo-like bodies with hard diamond-shaped ganoid scales that create protective armor.

Scientific Name: Lepisosteus platostomus

Physical Characteristics:
  • They're distinguished from other gar species by their shorter, broader snout (about 5.5 times as long as its narrowest width) and lack the double row of teeth found in alligator gar or the extensive spotting of spotted gar.
  • Missouri's Shortnose Gar typically reach 24-35 inches and weigh 5-6 pounds, with females growing larger than males.
  • They have olive-brown to olive-green coloration on top, fading to yellowish sides and white bellies.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit calm waters in large rivers and backwaters, oxbow lakes, large quiet pools, and areas around vegetation or submerged logs.

Key Locations

  • Missouri's large rivers, oxbow lakes.

Specific Spots

  • Look for them in calm backwater areas of Missouri's large rivers, oxbow lakes, and quiet pools near vegetation or submerged logs where they ambush prey.

Shortnose Gar FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Shortnose Gar in Missouri?

Gar-specific patterns like the Nylon Shad Fly (6-9 inches long, hookless with white nylon rope fibers and mylar tubing) or the Godawful Garish Gar Grabber (with trailing hooks and nylon pantyhose material).

When is the best time to fish for Shortnose Gar in Missouri?

Late spring through early summer (May-June) and during summer months (June-August).

How do you catch Shortnose Gar in Missouri?

For fly fishing, these flies work by tangling in the gar's sharp teeth rather than hooking them conventionally. Employ a slow, steady retrieve and continue stripping even if the gar misses initially. For conventional tackle, try techniques like drift fishing, trolling, still fishing, and spin casting.

What do Shortnose Gar eat?

These ambush predators feed primarily on fish but consume more invertebrates than any other gar species, including crayfish, insects, insect larvae, and small crustaceans. Young gar start with zooplankton and insects, transitioning to fish when reaching 1.25 inches.

Where do Shortnose Gar live in Missouri?

They inhabit calm waters in large rivers and backwaters, oxbow lakes, large quiet pools, and areas around vegetation or submerged logs.

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