Spotted Gar in Kentucky
Bluegrass spotted gar: limits, waters, records.
- 6.26 lbsstate record
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the fish, not a Kentucky water: David Sledge, CC BY 2.0
Kentucky Spotted Gar rules and waters
The statewide table in the guide leaves spotted gar without a line.
KDFWR lists the top fish at 6.26 lbs from Taylorsville Lake Tailwater (Salt River).
2026 Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide (Regulations Summary March 2026 to February 2027, updated September 2026; KDFWR PDF), read November 10, 2026.
The Kentucky state record spotted gar
| KDFWR listing | Weight | Water | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted Gar | 6.26 lbs | Taylorsville Lake Tailwater (Salt River) | October 3, 2025 |
Kentucky state record fish as listed by KDFWR (record list), read November 10, 2026.
The look of the water near Spotted Gar on a still Kentucky morning
Photo: Kev Cook, CC BY 4.0
Photo: LouisvilleUSACE, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ka!zen, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
What Kentucky anglers wonder about Spotted Gar
How many spotted gar may I keep in Kentucky?
No statewide row names it; read the guide before keeping one.
Any special-regulation entries naming spotted gar?
The guide lists no water-specific rule naming it.
Is there a Kentucky record for spotted gar?
It stands at 6.26 lbs, caught at Taylorsville Lake Tailwater (Salt River) (October 3, 2025).
Where in the Commonwealth does KDFWR manage spotted gar?
So far no KDFWR rule row on a built page mentions it.
Does the guide make anglers turn spotted gar loose?
The guide does not require its release statewide.
What does a Kentucky license for spotted gar cost?
Anglers 16 and older need a Kentucky fishing license; the 2026 guide prints $24.31 for the resident annual license and $58.14 for nonresidents.
How do I enter a spotted gar for a Kentucky record?
KDFWR keeps the list; a record fish must come from Kentucky water on rod and reel or pole and line and weigh at least 0.10 pound.
May I keep spotted gar from yesterday plus today's limit?
Possession equals two daily limits under 301 KAR 1:201, processed fish aside.
Pack the cooler for a spotted gar run
A linked lake or stream page pairs its access sites with the KDFWR limits.