Longnose gar across Minnesota
Limits, records and lakes for longnose gar.
- 10limit
- 16 lb 12 ozrecord
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About Minnesota longnose gar
Longnose gar counts among the gar family in Minnesota. Anglers may keep 10 in inland waters (statewide), Continuous.
In 1982, St. Croix River near Prescott produced the record of 16 lb 12 oz. It shows up in DNR surveys of 13 lakes (13 with pages here). Mazaska Lake posted the top gill net rate, 3.75 per net.
How the DNR describes longnose gar
“Gar are ancient fish, little changed since the days of the dinosaur. The longnose gar's needle-like nose, suit-of-armor scales, and long body make it look like no other fish you might see in Minnesota. An inhabitant of warm, quiet waters, the gar is known for its sharp teeth and aggressive nature.”
“The longnose gar has a thin, long body covered with hard diamond-shaped scales. Its pointy mouth is filled with teeth.”
“Longnose gar are found in shallow lakes and rivers in southern and central Minnesota. They can live in very warm water with little oxygen.”
- The longnose gar's needle-like nose, suit-of-armor scales, and long body make it look like no other fish you might see in Minnesota.identification
- An inhabitant of warm, quiet waters, the gar is known for its sharp teeth and aggressive nature.identification
- Longnose gar are found in shallow lakes and rivers in southern and central Minnesota.habitat
- They can live in very warm water with little oxygen.habitat
- garalso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
longnose gar limits and seasons
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | 10 | Continuous |
| Inland waters | 10 | Early season March 1 – April 30 (south of Hwy 210, lakes and Minnesota/Mississippi/St. Croix rivers, from a bo |
| Inland waters | 10 | Spearing April 25, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027; harpooning, dip net and seine May 1, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027 (sunrise to |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
The longnose gar record
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 16 lb 12 oz | St. Croix River near Prescott | Washington | 1982 |
| catch and release | 51 in | Mississippi River | Houston | 2024 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Top longnose gar catch rates in DNR surveys
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazaska Lake | 3.75 | 2.4 | 2025 | |
| St. Croix River | 2.77 | 2.28 | 2024 | |
| Long Lake near Underwood, Otter Tail County, 204 acres | 2.33 | 2.33 | 1991 | |
| German Lake, Le Sueur County | 1.88 | 3.5 | 2024 | |
| Rose Lake near Dalton, Otter Tail County | 1.67 | 3.25 | 2007 | |
| Ten Mile Lake, Otter Tail County | 0.67 | 3.79 | 2024 | |
| Lake Pepin | 0.25 | 1.75 | 2024 | |
| Stalker Lake | 0.22 | 1.42 | 2018 | |
| Lake Winona | 0.2 | 8.38 | 2016 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
longnose gar across the state
Where to fish lakes for longnose gar
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Ten Mile Lake, Otter Tail County1,428 acres
- Stalker Lake1,357 acres
- German Lake, Le Sueur County889 acres
- Mazaska Lake688 acres
- East Jefferson Lake near Cleveland, Le Sueur County, 685 acres685 acres
- Middle Jefferson Lake667 acres
- Barrett Lake530 acres
- West Jefferson Lake439 acres
- Lake Winona308 acres
- Long Lake near Underwood, Otter Tail County, 204 acres204 acres
- Rose Lake near Dalton, Otter Tail County108 acres
Rivers and creeks for longnose gar
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Species listed with longnose gar
- Shortnose gargar family
Pictures of water close to Longnose gar
Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Appraiser at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Photo: Jonathan Miske, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Handy answers on longnose gar
May Minnesota anglers keep longnose gar?
10 (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
Which Minnesota water gave up the record longnose gar?
16 lb 12 oz from St. Croix River near Prescott (1982).
Which lakes hold longnose gar?
Mazaska Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 3.75 per net; 14 waters on this site list it.
Where does the DNR stock longnose gar?
None listed on the area pages.
How do I tell longnose gar from similar fish?
The longnose gar's needle-like nose, suit-of-armor scales, and long body make it look like no other fish you might see in Minnesota.
When does Minnesota longnose gar season open and close?
Continuous
Do kids need a license for longnose gar?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which guides list longnose gar?
No Minnesota guide names it; see the guides page.
Plan a Minnesota longnose gar trip
Pick a lake from the lists on this page.