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Shortnose Gar

Shortnose Gar

Shortnose Gar are a primitive freshwater fish native to Wisconsin, though their presence in the state represents an interesting case of natural range expansion via the Wisconsin-Fox Canal system from the Mississippi River basin.

These prehistoric-looking predators have established populations in Wisconsin's Fox River system, Wolf River, Lake Winnebago, and even parts of Lake Michigan's Green Bay.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Shortnose Gar are distinguished from their larger cousin, the longnose gar, by their broader, shorter snout that's only about as long as their head, compared to the longnose's snout which is twice the head length.
  • They lack the large black spots found on longnose gar.
  • Wisconsin's state record shortnose gar measured 31.75 inches and weighed 4 pounds, 5 ounces.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • These prehistoric-looking predators have established populations in Wisconsin's Fox River system, Wolf River, Lake Winnebago, and even parts of Lake Michigan's Green Bay.

Key Locations

  • Wisconsin's Fox River system, Wolf River, Lake Winnebago, and even parts of Lake Michigan's Green Bay.
  • Wisconsin's state record shortnose gar was caught on the Fox River in Outagamie County in August 2015.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on calm backwater areas, quiet pools, oxbow lakes, and areas near vegetation and submerged logs.
  • Target gar lying stationary near structure or suspended just below the surface.
  • Fish are often found just below dams, around weedy bends, and in areas where power plants discharge warm water.
  • Since gar exhibit territorial defense around profitable feeding positions, look for the largest fish positioned at upstream pool lips and concentrate efforts there.

Shortnose Gar FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What flies work for Shortnose Gar in Wisconsin?

For fly fishing, avoid rope flies and instead use smaller patterns: Clouser's Swimming Nymph in olive or orange with extra flash is highly effective, along with damsel nymph patterns, weightless woolly buggers, Crazy Charlies, and terrestrial patterns like beetles and grasshoppers.

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

Target from late May through September when water temperatures reach the 70°F range, with July and August being peak months. They spawn from April through June when water temperatures reach 61-70°F - this is a time to avoid targeting them.

How do you catch Shortnose Gar in Wisconsin?

Use techniques like drift fishing, trolling, still fishing, bait casting, and spin casting. Present flies with slow strips and erratic movement. When sight-fishing, cast parallel to stationary gar and strip the fly past their line of sight, or across moving gar when they're perpendicular to you.

What do Shortnose Gar eat?

These ambush predators are highly opportunistic feeders with a diet consisting primarily of fish, but they consume more invertebrates than any other gar species - including crayfish, insects, beetles, and even periodical cicadas.

Where do Shortnose Gar live in Wisconsin?

These prehistoric-looking predators have established populations in Wisconsin's Fox River system, Wolf River, Lake Winnebago, and even parts of Lake Michigan's Green Bay.

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