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Spotted Gar

Spotted Gar

Spotted Gar are one of four gar species found throughout Oklahoma, where they're managed as a non-game species allowing harvest by any legal method. These ancient fish are voracious ambush predators with Oklahoma populations considered stable.

Scientific Name: Lepisosteus oculatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These ancient fish are characterized by their long, slender, toothy snouts covered with spots, diamond-shaped ganoid scales, and spotted fins often tinted yellow or orange.
  • They typically grow 2-3 feet in length and weigh 4-6 pounds, though Oklahoma state records show exceptional specimens reaching over 43 years old and weighing up to 11+ pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit clear, slow-moving shallow waters of creeks, rivers, and lakes.

Key Locations

  • In Oklahoma waters, concentrate on reservoir areas like Lake Arbuckle, Lake Texoma, and Lake Thunderbird.
  • Multiple state records have come from Lake Arbuckle and Lake Texoma.

Specific Spots

  • Target clear, slow-moving shallow waters around vegetation, submerged branches, fallen trees, brush piles, and weed lines while avoiding exposed bank areas.
  • Prefer areas with vegetation and submerged cover like branches.

Spotted Gar FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Spotted Gar in Oklahoma?

Traditional tackle includes small in-line spinners, minnowbaits, spoons, spinner baits, and live minnows under floats.

What flies work for Spotted Gar in Oklahoma?

Effective patterns include Clouser's Swimming Nymphs in olive or orange with extra flash, Damselfly Nymphs for weedy areas, weightless Woolly Buggers with flash, Crazy Charlies, and terrestrial patterns like grasshoppers and beetle imitations.

When is the best time to fish for Spotted Gar in Oklahoma?

Summer months (July-August) are best. Spawn in April-June when water temperatures reach 69.8-78.8°F in shallow vegetated areas, during which time fishing pressure should be reduced as they often cease foraging.

How do you catch Spotted Gar in Oklahoma?

When sight-fishing, cast across the gar's path rather than over their backs, strip slowly past their field of vision, and allow adequate time for them to take the fly before setting the hook with a strong strip set.

What do Spotted Gar eat?

Feed primarily at night (70% of their food intake), with their diet consisting of fish species like golden topminnow, warmouth, bluegill, and spotted sunfish (18.1% of diet), while 57.5% of their stomach content is shrimp and 23.6% other invertebrates including crayfish, insect larvae, and even algae.

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