The past few years I have spoken to quite a few anglers, bow fisherman, who are concerned about the state of the Texas Alligator Gar.

Folks, Texas is home to the 2nd largest freshwater fish in the USA, 2nd only to the Sturgeon. Other states like Alabama and Arkansas understand the importance of these prehistoric fish and have daily bag limits.

The Sturgeon which is the largest freshwater fish is pretty much on a catch and release only status.

I've organized a petition to have the Alligator Gar in Texas, upgraded to game fish status. Those that fish for these fish already realize the thrilling angling experience these fish provide.

Most anglers first time experience with these fish is total disbelief that in the same water as our Bass, Crappie, Catfish, can be these huge downright scary looking fish! Well, they don't attack humans, and their main diet is shad. And their secondary diet is fish such as smaller carp and buffalo. I won't lie and say they never eat a bass or other game fish, but keep in mind Catfish eat bass, crappie as well.

Let's don't confuse the Alligator Gar with the heavily populated Longnose Gar that is in most of our local lakes, rivers in the DFW area. Those fish rarely grow over 50lbs or so and they have a very long mouth. Chances are if you fish for sand bass or stripers you've probably had a run in with a Longnose Gar.

Anglers from ALL over the world come to Texas to tangle with these fish every year. Isn't it about time we recognize this truly prehistoric fish and attempt to preserve the gene pool so we can continue to enjoy angling for these trophy fish into the future?

If you have some spare time, type in "Texas Alligator Gar" in Google or Yahoo and enjoy some good reading. And the next time you catch a bass around 5-8lbs, or a catfish around 20-40lbs, keep in mind there is a much bigger fish waiting to give you the angling experience of your life, right here in Texas!

Check out the petition, give it some thought.

http://www.petitiononline.com/texasgar/petition.html

Munsie,

You are right on track. I would hope everyone on this forum would sign this petition to help the conservation of the alligator gar.

Signed ! I have always thought it should have game fish status. Nothing against bow hunters, most are really responsible, but there are to many that will shoot 600 pounds of gar just for the fun of killing them. They don't eat them or anything else. Some anglers are just as bad catching them and chucking them up on shore to die.

I gladly signed the petition too. I have seen monster sturgeon when I lived back in Oregon. Once on a rafting trip I took my dad out on we saw one almost as long as my 4 man raft swim right by. I've also seen a gar at Phantom lake surface that was probably close to 7 feet long ! These fish are probably as prehistoric as they look and definitely should get some protection as other fish do.
David C.

I signed it...good work!

D,

I have a question. Where are the numbers to support the idea that they're in any danger or that they should be put on the gamefish list? I seriously want more info....it doesn't seem to me there is ANY lack of those creatures. And yes, I can tell the difference between the different types of gar.

I am curious though....how did this come about from a numbers standpoint?

Come to think of it....I don't really understand either...but I'm all for making a difference.

It's a good idea in general, but they're taking it too far. If they proposed setting limitations on commercial harvesting, and evaluated the population in a few years, I would be for it. To place a limit of 2 fish per day, and only 1 over 100lbs per year is not reasonable in my opinion.

What kind of commercial harvesting of Alligator Gar takes place ???? The roe is toxic and there is almost zero demand for them as table fare. People kill 'em just because they are big and have teeth. As big as they get what are you going to do with a daily limit of 5 ? That can easily be 500 pounds of fish !

They are great fun to catch, but a royal !#*%#& to release lol

Interesting article about Alligator Gar fishery management etc. http://www.ag.auburn.edu/aaes/communications/highlights/winter00/fishtales.html

I just want to thank this forum for allowing this post to be here, and for those that have already singed the petition. If you could help spread the word and put the link on any of your websites that would be great.

http://www.petitiononline.com/texasgar/petition.html

Mr. Wiggles, that was a very informative link. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

"Where are the numbers to support the idea that they're in any danger or that they should be put on the gamefish list?"

There has been little research on the numbers of these fish, but there is evidence that the size of these fish is decreasing. It's getting harder to find Alligator Gar over 100lbs. At this point, I'm more concerned with the quality (SIZE) of these fish more than the number of them.

I have heard or read rather in a Texas magazine that the commercial sell them. And they get used in fish sticks or whatever. Also there are people that eat gar. They say you just have to know how to clean it and get the right meat.

Take a look in Louisiana fish markets next time you are there. The "backstrap" is considered great eating.

I thought I might re-issue this if yall haven't seen it..WOW.

They are harvested by commercial fisherman in great numbers, and are sold as "Ocean Perch" in grocery stores. This process is unregulated. The few people that catch them just to kill them are idiots, but are far and few between. I hate to see things get over-regulated - especially when it concerns fishermen. I don't think anyone needs 500 lbs. of fish per day, but we have to keep things in perspective.

Let's not jump into a cause just because it sounds good - let's look into it first.