Description Lepisosteus isGreek, meaning "bony scale," and osseus is Latin, meaning "of bone." Longnose gar are distinguished from other gar species found in the USA by the long snout whose length is at least 10 times the minimum width. Biology Spawning activity occurs as early as April, in shallow riffle areas. Females, typically the larger sex, may be accompanied by one or  many  males.  Although nests are not prepared, gravel is swept somewhat by the spawning action itself. Each female may deposit a portion of her eggs at several different locations. The adhesive eggs are mixed in  the  gravel,  hatching in six to eight days. Yolk-sac fry have an adhesive disc on their snouts by which they attach themselves to submerged objects until the yolk sac is absorbed. Fry feed primarily on insect  larvae and  small  crustaceans such as water fleas. Fish appear in the diet very early. Longnose gar are typically associated with backwaters, low inflow pools and moderately clear streams. They often do very  well in man-made   impoundments. Distribution Longnose gar range widely throughout the eastern US and north into  southern Quebec. The species  is  especially common in the Mississippi River drainage and in the Carolinas. It may be found as far south and west as the Rio Grande drainage in Mexico, Texas and New  Mexico.  Bowfishing Facts The longnose Gar was the Gar I was familiar with from New York and other Eastern  States.  These fish are very difficult to catch with a  rod  and reel and do eat a considerable amount of game fish fry. Therefore they make a wonderful candidate for bowfishing!  They can be  designated from other species due to their long jaws and the fact that  they lack  spots in the head area. They can be found most easily during the spring and summer months.  Nice hot and calm days are  best.   Gar can often be shot from a boat in the daytime as they come  to the surface  to lazily lay in the shallow warm water.  They can survive in muddy and low oxygen conditions as  well.  Night bowfishing can be very successful for this species.  They can be  approached more easily but  will not be found as close to the surface.  Due to the tough scales of this fish we  recommend using a chisel point on your arrows.  Increase the poundage of your bow if you  intend to go for the larger three or  four foot specimens.  Also the scales can slice your line so do  consider using a heavier braid if possible.  Please write if you have any questions or  photographs!  We are in very short supply of good  photographs of this species for our web site.  Thanks!   [Home Page] [Links] [Species] [Tourneys]  [Boat Rigs] [Photos] [Equipment] [Contact Us] [The Store]