fp-helper
Longnose Gar

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus · Gar family

  • 2lakes
  • 135logged catches
  • 20.87 kg heaviest logged

PlaceLongnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is a primitive species of Gar present in North America for about 100 million years. These fish can be found in freshwater lakes along the east coast of North and Central America and as far west as Kansas and Texas. Longnose Gars usually grow to a length of 28-48 in (0.71-1.2 m) with an average weight of 2-7 lb (1-3 kg). Trophy specimen can weigh up to 22 lb (10 kg), but the largest Longnose Gar ever caught was about 6 ft (1.8 m) in length and 55 lb (25 kg) in weight. Longnose Gar mostly feed at night, preying predominantly on small fish and occasionally insects and small crustaceans.

What actually catches it ranked by real logged catches

Baits

Shiners 24 Medium Cutbait 4 Large Cutbait 3 Large Minnows 1

Lures

Crankbait 1 m, #2/0 10 Trophy Frog-popper 18 g, #3/0 3 Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 2 Water Vole Walker 56 g, #7/0 2 Trophy Walker 14 g, #3/0 1 Major Popper 28 g, #3/0 1 Walker 42 g, #4/0 1

Best setups by lake 2 lakes with data

Neherrin River — 91 catches , best 20.87 kg

  • Crankbait 1 m, #2/0 Spinning Shore 7×
  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Float Shore 95 m 6×
  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Float 30 m 5×
  • Shiners Hook #2/0 Float 30 m 4×

Blue Crab Island — 44 catches , best 15.6 kg

  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom 6×
  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom Shore 3×
  • Major Popper 42 g, #5/0 Spinning 2×
  • Water Vole Walker 56 g, #7/0 Spinning 2×

How to catch

How to catch a unique Longnose Gar? You can catch this fish either with bait or lures.

If you prefer to use natural baits, then the best way to catch Longnose Gar would be to use Shiners on a size #4/0 hook.

If you are more into artificial lures, you should go for some Walkers. The most successful lure is Dim Green / Glow Green Crankbait 1 m, #2/0.

Where to find it

Blue Crab Island Mississippi Neherrin River North Carolina

Also listed as effective documented, but not seen in the catch log

Small Minnows Small Cutbait Crawfish #124#131 Crankbait 1 m, #3/0

Data compiled from fp-collective and the Fishing Planet Wiki . Snapshot taken 2026-08-20. Game content and imagery © Fishing Planet LLC.