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Spotted Gar

Spotted Gar

Spotted Gar are primitive freshwater fish that are not native to South Carolina waters but have been introduced into tributaries of the Enoree, Saluda, and Savannah rivers and in the Catawba River reservoirs upstream of the state line.

Scientific Name: Lepisosteus oculatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their elongated, dart-shaped bodies covered in diamond-shaped ganoid scales and abundant dark spots on their head, fins, and body.
  • They have gold-green bodies with dark olive mottling that fades to yellow-white bellies, with a distinct black spot near the tail.
  • Their large mouths extend to the rear edge of the eye and contain needle-like teeth, making them efficient ambush predators.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Introduced into tributaries of the Enoree, Saluda, and Savannah rivers and in the Catawba River reservoirs upstream of the state line.

Key Locations

  • Focus on the upper Savannah River drainage system, primarily lakes Keowee, Russell, Jocassee, and Hartwell, as well as introduced populations in tributaries of the Enoree, Saluda, and Savannah rivers.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow, vegetated areas with submerged structure like fallen logs, brush, and weed lines where they ambush prey.
  • Target areas around docks, logs, and stumps in 12-22 feet of water during warmer periods, focusing on current breaks and structure in flowing water sections.

Spotted Gar FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Cut bait, live minnows, spoons, spinner baits, and crankbaits with treble hooks.

What flies work for Spotted Gar in South Carolina?

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 beetles and grasshoppers. Use Gamakatsu SL45 Bonefish hooks in appropriate sizes for their sharp, penetrating qualities.

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

Best targeted during summer months (June-August) when they're most active. They spawn in spring from April to May when water temperatures reach 65°F - a period when fishing should be avoided to protect spawning populations.

How do you catch Spotted Gar in South Carolina?

When sight fishing, cast parallel to stationary gar with flies landing behind their line of sight, then strip slowly as the fly passes in front of their eye. Target areas around docks, logs, and stumps in 12-22 feet of water during warmer periods, focusing on current breaks and structure in flowing water sections.

What do Spotted Gar eat?

Their diet consists primarily of crayfish and aquatic crustaceans (57.5% of stomach contents), fish including golden topminnow, warmouth, bluegill, and spotted sunfish (18.1%), with the remainder being other invertebrates, insect larvae, and algae.

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