The Future of Gar in Texas
How Will We Sustain Alligator Gar Populations?
Researcher with gar
at Falcon Lake
A primary goal of TPWD’s alligator gar management is to maintain or improve our populations in Texas. In the Trinity River, this objective includes retaining fishable numbers of the largest, recreationally valuable fish. Because relatively few alligator gar can be sustainably harvested each year, it's important to closely monitor both reproduction and harvest.
Texas currently has a statewide bag limit of one alligator gar per day, with a special limit of 5 per day on Falcon International Reservoir. In addition, the department has the authority to close waters to alligator gar fishing when conditions are appropriate for spawning. To help keep populations in good shape, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has enacted a set of new regulations to take effect September 1, 2019.
On the Trinity River and tributaries from the I-30 bridge in Dallas County downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County:
- 48-inch maximum length limit for alligator gar
- No night-time harvest of alligator gar by means of lawful archery equipment or crossbow
- Public drawing to allow selected participants to take one alligator gar per year longer than 48 inches, with no restriction on time of day or fishing method
Statewide:
- Mandatory reporting of all alligator gar harvested except for Falcon Reservoir, via the department website or a mobile app
- Existing bag limits will remain in effect