Alligator Gar in Louisiana
Louisiana alligator gar: what may be kept and where to look.
- no daily caplimit
- 179.00 lbrecord
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not a Louisiana water: Cymothoa exigua, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Louisiana alligator gar: limit, record, water
Louisiana rules for alligator gar sit in the freshwater table, on the line headed “Other freshwater fish (all species of bream and garfish)”. That row allows no daily limit, with the season given as open year-round.
The heaviest rod and reel entry is 179.00 lb, Red River, 1997, angler Jimmy L. Thompson. This site ties it to 2 waters, starting with Grand Lake and Red River.
The 2026 line covering alligator gar
| Pamphlet row | Waters | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other freshwater fish (all species of bream and garfish) | All state waters | No daily limit | Open year-round |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (LDWF pamphlet, updated September 21, 2026), page 21 (pamphlet PDF); confirmed on the LDWF freshwater finfish page October 28, 2026.
The heaviest alligator gar on the Louisiana list
| Division | Method | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | Rod & Reel | 179.00 lb | Jimmy L. Thompson | Red River | May 1997 |
| freshwater | Fly Fishing | 46.04 lb | Victor Tedesco | Fifi Island G.I. | July 2015 |
More alligator gar in the top ten
- 152.00 lb, Baylor AllenAtchafalaya Delta WMA, April 2025
- 134.00 lb, James StricklandRed River, May 1997
- 133.00 lb, Albert Jermaine DevilleIntercoastal Canal Morgan City, February 2023
- 102.94 lb, Stephen G. LandryVermilion Bay, Sept 2004
Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA), LOWA "Louisiana State Fish Records Official Copy", records current through the record awarded September 25, 2026 (PDF created 2026-09-25); read October 28, 2026.
Louisiana pages that list alligator gar
Louisiana lakes for alligator gar
- Grand Lake44,000 acres
Bayous and rivers for alligator gar
- Red RiverRapides Parish
LDWF popular-species text on management-plan lakes, LOWA record waters, LDWF stocking releases and Get Out & Fish! sites; biggest waters first.
Louisiana neighbours of alligator gar on the list
- Spotted Garfreshwater
- Longnose Garfreshwater
- Yellow Bullheadfreshwater
A photo walk along water near Alligator Gar
Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Susan Popielaski, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 2.0
Louisiana alligator gar: the questions anglers ask
How many alligator gar may I keep in Louisiana?
LDWF prints No daily limit, season open year-round.
How big is the Louisiana record alligator gar?
179.00 lb, Red River, 1997, by Jimmy L. Thompson (rod and reel).
Which Louisiana pages point to alligator gar?
Start with Grand Lake and Red River among 2 pages.
Are alligator gar part of the LDWF hatchery work?
No LDWF stocking row names it.
Which waters change the alligator gar rule?
LDWF gives it no rule tied to one water.
Does Louisiana close the alligator gar season?
Season as printed: Open year-round.
Which LDWF license lets me fish for alligator gar?
Louisiana anglers 18 and older carry a Basic Fishing License: $17 a year for residents and $68 for nonresidents.
Who checks a new Louisiana alligator gar record?
The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association keeps the list; an LDWF biologist confirms the species.
Find alligator gar a short drive away
The pages above list launches and limits.