Spotted Gar in Georgia
Where Georgia spotted gar live and what you may keep.
- n/alimit
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Lanier: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
What Georgia anglers should know about spotted gar
Spotted gar (Leipsosteus oculatus) is listed by Georgia DNR as a nongame fish.
Neither the record lists nor the WRD water lists include it.
spotted gar in the words of WRD biologists
Description. “Spots on top of the head, body, and fins. Snout is broader than longnose gar. Up to 20 lb, but most are 1 to 5 lb.”
Habitat. “Prefer warmer, quiet waters, large reservoirs and rivers.”
Range. “Tennessee, Coosa, Chattahoochee and Flint River basins.”
Food. “Juveniles and adults are often opportunistic fish eaters but will occasionally eat shrimp, crayfish and insects.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Georgia species in the same class as spotted gar
- Yellow Bassfreshwater
- Bowfinfreshwater
- Black Bullheadfreshwater
- Brown Bullheadfreshwater
- Yellow Bullheadfreshwater
- Blue Catfishfreshwater
- White Catfishfreshwater
- Common Carpfreshwater
- Freshwater Drumfreshwater
- Longnose Garfreshwater
- Smallmouth Buffalofreshwater
- Green Sunfishfreshwater
A look at the water near Spotted Gar
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Straight answers on spotted gar in Georgia
How many spotted gar can I keep in Georgia?
The guide lists no separate limit for it.
Does Georgia list a record spotted gar?
No Georgia record is on file for it.
Which waters here list spotted gar?
Tennessee, Coosa, Chattahoochee and Flint River basins.
Is there a stocking program for spotted gar?
WRD lists no stocking for it by water.
What scientific name goes with spotted gar?
A nongame fish, Leipsosteus oculatus; freshwater water.
Can I fish for spotted gar all year in Georgia?
Georgia lists no closed season for it.
Which Georgia license covers spotted gar?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Are there guided trips for spotted gar?
It is missing from every guide listing here.
Choose a Georgia water for spotted gar
Open a listed water for ramps and the rules that apply.