Alligator Gar in Oklahoma
ODWC rows, record weight and lakes holding Oklahoma alligator gar.
- 1 a daylimit
- 254 lbs 12.00 ozsrecord
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Oklahoma alligator gar, the essentials
ODWC files alligator gar on the statewide line titled "Alligator Gar". Expect 1 a day and no size limit. ODWC treats it as a species of special concern: limit one, harvest reported. The ODWC chart names it Atractosteus spathula.
In 2015 Paul Easley set the rod and line record of 254 lbs 12.00 ozs at Texoma. It turns up on 3 lake and river pages, Lake Texoma, Kiamichi River and Lower Red River first. 2 areas carry an ODWC area rule that names it, Lower Red River and Texoma first.
alligator gar on the 2026-27 ODWC chart
| Row as printed | Daily | Size | Footnotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 | no size limit | D, E |
Limits as printed on the ODWC statewide daily and size limits page (2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations (ODWC); PDF), read November 3, 2026.
The fine print ODWC attaches to alligator gar
- Harvest of alligator gar and paddlefish must be reported within 24 hours via E-Check at wildlifedepartment.com. For any other fish species of special concern in category I or II such as black buffalo and shovelnose sturgeon (see Title 800:25-19-6) there is a daily limit of 1 and harvest must be reported. Harvest must be reported to the Wildlife Department’s Fisheries Division at (918) 683-1031.footnote D
- Alligator gar may be caught by use of rod and reel, trotline, and throwline. Alligator gar taken by bow and arrow, gigs, spears, or spearguns cannot be released. The attempt to take or harvest alligator gar is prohibited statewide May 1-31.footnote E
Limits as printed on the ODWC statewide daily and size limits page (2026-2027 Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulations (ODWC); PDF), read November 3, 2026.
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| Area | Limits as printed | Methods and restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Red River | For all of the Lower Red River: Alligator gar harvest must be reported within 24 hours via E-Check at wildlifedepartment.com. Transport of shad from the Lower Red River is prohibited. If shad are collected from the Lower Red River for use as bait, they may only be used in the Lower Red River. | For all of the Lower Red River: Prohibited methods: bowfishing for paddlefish, year-round. (Also see "Tailwaters" regulations; and shad restrictions on Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS)). Denison Dam downstream to the mouth of the Shawnee Creek: Anglers are advis |
| Texoma | Note: Fishing regulations may differ between Oklahoma and Texas portions of Lake Texoma. Check the Texas Fishing Guide for details. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass: five combined per day/14-inch minimum for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Striped bass and/or striped bass hybrids: 10 combined | – |
Special regulations as printed on the ODWC Public Fishing Areas Special Regulations pages, read November 3, 2026.
The Oklahoma record alligator gar
| Division | Weight | Length | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rod and line | 254 lbs 12.00 ozs | 97 3/4 inches | Paul Easley | Texoma | April 23, 2015 |
ODWC state record fish list (keeper: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation), read November 3, 2026.
Sooner pages naming alligator gar
Sooner reservoirs for alligator gar
- Lake Texoma88,000 acres
Oklahoma current worth a cast for alligator gar
- Kiamichi RiverChoctaw County
- Lower Red RiverLove County
ODWC Where To Fish species lists, the 2024 and 2025 stocking reports and ODWC record waters; largest waters first.
Oklahoma fish close to alligator gar
- Longnose Garno ODWC row
- Shortnose Garno ODWC row
- Spotted Garno ODWC row
Red dirt shorelines and water near Alligator Gar, photographed
Photo: momentsofbeauty, CC0 1.0
Photo: Thomas & Dianne Jones, CC BY 2.0
Photo: usacetulsa, Public domain
Photo: Deborah Lee Soltesz, CC0 1.0
Quick Oklahoma replies on alligator gar
How many alligator gar may I keep in Oklahoma?
ODWC prints 1 a day and no size limit.
Does ODWC list a record alligator gar?
It weighed 254 lbs 12.00 ozs; Paul Easley caught it at Texoma in 2015.
What Oklahoma lake should I try for alligator gar?
Try Lake Texoma, Kiamichi River and Lower Red River, out of 3.
Are there ODWC area rules for alligator gar?
ODWC lists 2 areas; Lower Red River is one.
Which Oklahoma waters got alligator gar from ODWC?
ODWC reported no stocking of it in 2024 or 2025.
Which ODWC paperwork covers alligator gar?
Anglers 18 and older carry an Oklahoma fishing license ($31 annual for residents, $81 for nonresidents in 2026). The $12 Lake Texoma License covers both the Oklahoma and Texas sides of the lake, but not below the dam.
Which record divisions does ODWC keep for alligator gar?
Two: rod and line, and an unrestricted division for fish taken by other legal methods such as bow, gig or trotline that tie or beat the rod and line mark. For it, ODWC lists 1 record row.
Which ODWC name covers alligator gar?
The Oklahoma pages call it Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spathula).
Go chase Oklahoma alligator gar
Open a lake or river above for launches and posted rules.