Longnose gar in Wisconsin
Keeping, finding and recording longnose gar.
- None; no minimum lenlimit
- 21 lbs. 4 oz.record
Angler pickPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Mississippi River: Aaron Carlson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Wisconsin longnose gar: rules, records and range
Classed as rough fish, Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is one of the Gars (Lepisosteidae) on the WDNR fish list. For general inland waters, the WDNR row reads None; no minimum length, season Open all year.
Wisconsin River produced the hook and line record of 21 lbs. 4 oz. in 1990.
Wisconsin regulation rows naming longnose gar
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| General inland waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Tributaries to Lake Michigan and major Green Bay tributaries | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | Open all year |
| All other tributaries to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake | None; except 600 suckers; no minimum length | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Winnebago System waters | None; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations (WDNR). Checked October 2026.
Record longnose gar on the WDNR list
| Category | Weight or length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 21 lbs. 4 oz. | Wisconsin River | Richland | 1990 |
| alternate method | 22 lbs. 12.8 oz. | Mississippi River | Vernon | 2018 |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out.
Wisconsin waters listing longnose gar
longnose gar rivers with pages
- Wisconsin RiverLincoln
- Mississippi RiverCrawford
WDNR Find a Lake fish lists and fisheries designation layers; largest waters first.
Relatives of longnose gar in Wisconsin
- Shortnose garGars (Lepisosteidae)
Photographs from waters near Longnose gar
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
Questions anglers bring up about longnose gar
Which Wisconsin rule covers keeping longnose gar?
None; no minimum length on general inland waters; season Open all year. Other waters have their own rows.
When was the Wisconsin longnose gar record set?
21 lbs. 4 oz. from Wisconsin River in 1990 (hook and line).
Where do longnose gar live in Wisconsin?
2 waters here, starting with Wisconsin River and Mississippi River.
Does the WDNR stock longnose gar?
Not in the 2023 to 2025 summary.
What Latin name does the WDNR give longnose gar?
Lepisosteus osseus, Gars (Lepisosteidae); rough fish.
Is Wisconsin longnose gar season open right now?
Open all year on general inland waters.
Which license covers longnose gar?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Who guides for longnose gar?
No listed guide names it; the guides page has every operator.
Set out for longnose gar
Each lake listed above opens its own page with landings and the WDNR rule table.