Shortnose Gar

The shortnose gar is common in the Mississippi River and rare in the lower reaches of the larger tributaries to this river. It is also found occasionally in the oxbow lakes and tributaries along the Missouri River. This species is taken occasionally in the natural lake, particularly those located in Dickinson County.

The color of the shortnose gar is olive green above and silvery to white beneath. There are usually no dark spots on the head or snout, but where encountered in clear water dark spots are evident. The beak is much broader and shorter than that of the longnose gar. The scales number from 60 to 64 in the lateral line.

Shortnose gar spawn in shallow water, over vegetation in May and June when the water temperature is around 70 degrees F. The bright green eggs are deposited in small masses and attached to vegetation. A 9-pound female will produce about 34,000 eggs, which hatch in 8 or 9 days. Sixteen days after hatching, the young start feeding on micro-invertebrates and mosquito larvae. Adult gar are primarily piscivorous; insect larvae and crayfish are also eaten.

Growth during the first year is very rapid with lengths up to 16 inches being attained at age I. The fish mature at 3 years of age and a length of 18 to 19 inches. The largest fish reported in this state was a female that weighed 9 pounds.

Shortnose gar show a preference for warm water with the optimum temperature ranging from 86 to 95 degrees F.

This information obtained from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Fisheries Department.

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