LegendaryNativeVulnerable
10
Alligator Gar
Atractosteus spatula · Lepisosteidae
Living fossil. Apex predator of slow southern water.
Common
4–6 ft
Max
8+ ft
Weight
Up to 300+ lbs
Best Bite Windows
When alligator gar feeds · time-of-day read
Right now · 12:00 PM · MIDD window
FAIR55%feeding activity
Off-peak · slow near cover
24-hour bite curvetaller = more feeding · scrub the clock
12a6a12p6p12a
DAWN
69
MORN
59
MIDD
56
AFTE
73
DUSK
81
NIGH
80
Surface-gulper · warm-water dusk patrol
Solar + LunarMEDIUM lunar pull
Major feeds7:59p – 9:59p5:10a – 7:10a
Minor feeds5:30a – 6:30a8:07p – 9:07p
Solunar window 8:14p – 9:44p
Full Moon
Day · Apex ambush predator in slow, warm backwaters. Spring spawn shows some lunar correlation. Target large structure.
Night · Occasional nocturnal hunting but not strongly lunar-driven. Primary feeding is opportunistic.
Habitat
RiversOxbowsBackwatersReservoirs
Range
Lower White, Arkansas, Mississippi systems. Slow muddy water.
Diet
Whole fish — buffalo, carp, gar. Opportunistic.
Best baits & lures
Cut mullet
Cut buffalo
Rope lures (frayed nylon)
Ready-to-fish boxes for Alligator Gar
Gear up locallyPartner
Tale Waters & Tides
The home water for Arkansas anglers
Pocket Fishing Guide is powered by Tale Waters & Tides — gear, guides, and the stories behind the water. Plan your next trip with us.
How to fish it · techniques
CPR — catch, photo, release
Use a bite guard
Give them time to swallow
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Rileys White & Buffalo Outfitter
Your White & Buffalo River outfitter
Guided float trips, canoe & kayak rentals, and riverside cabins on the White and Buffalo rivers.
Fun fact
Alligator gar predate the dinosaurs by about 50 million years. Their scales are hard enough that pre-contact peoples used them as arrowheads — and they can breathe air from the surface when water goes anoxic.
Status
Vulnerable
Native · Lepisosteidae
Regulations
Statewide Alligator Gar Regulations — Arkansas · Statewide — all public waters in Arkansas
1 per day
AGFC regulations Always confirm current size & daily limits with AGFC before keeping fish.