Species profile
Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
At a glance
Shortnose Gar (Lepisosteus platostomus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 3 (Montana); the most generous is 10 (Louisiana).
Confirmed by 689 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Missouri, Illinois, and Nebraska the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The gar lineage has existed largely unchanged for over 100 million years.
- Diamond-shaped ganoid scales are nearly impenetrable, functioning as natural armor.
- Can breathe air using a modified swim bladder that acts as a primitive lung.
- Typically reaches 2 feet in length; record individuals approach 33 inches.
- Native to the Mississippi River basin and Missouri River drainages.
Where Shortnose Gar are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Shortnose Gar
Background
The shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus) is a primitive freshwater fish of the family Lepisosteidae. It is native to the United States where its range includes the Mississippi and Missouri River basins, ranging from Montana to the west and the Ohio River to the east, southwards to the Gulf Coast. It inhabits calm waters in large rivers and their backwaters, as well as oxbow lakes and large…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Shortnose Gar article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.