The Alligator Gar stands distinctly apart from its smaller counterparts by its sheer size, growing more than 4 times as large as the Longnose Gar which is the second largest species of Gar. Like the longnose, shortnose, spotted, and Florida Gar, it is easily distinguished by its toothy bill and tough ganoid scales which provide an armor like suit encasing a sturdy, muscular frame. The Alligator Gar is the largest of the Gar family. Fossil records have revealed that this fish has dominated our waterways for over 100 million years. The Alligator Gar has held its position as North America’s heavyweight champion since the age of the Dinosaurs.

Without question, the Alligator gar is the heavyweight champion of North American freshwater fish on the global scale of freshwater giants, it represents team USA.

Most frustrating, though, was the response I received from my South Carolina friends who, upon viewing my photos, declared I could not have fished these out of any American waters!Īmong most American anglers, a “large fish” means a ten-pound bass, a fifty-inch musky or a big, fat catfish the alligator gar is a fish that could leisurely snap all of these in half with one powerful slam of its toothy bill. Although I encountered a number of smaller, fifty pound specimens, the gargantuan trophies I had hoped for eluded me. I enjoyed a fishing trip to East Texas in 2010 in search of one of these giants. This amazing fish – the Alligator Gar –is North America’s largest freshwater fish, largely found in East Texas and the gulf ‘plains’ area of Louisiana.

This fish can reach more than 8 feet in length and in excess of 300 pounds, with a bill full of sharp teeth and eyes like black saucers. One of the most awesome, terrifying looking freshwater predators on the planet happens to thrive in a particular area of the United States, and has gone largely unnoticed by even seasoned anglers. Virtually any average American, whether or not they fish recreationally, can easily identify bass or ‘bream’ and most realize that a fish with whiskers is probably a catfish. Nonetheless the largest freshwater fish in North America is arguably its most mysterious fish. It can’t be overstated – to the enthusiastic angler, landing the biggest representative of a species is always better. David Graham – Date Posted: September 14, 2011

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