Bow angler lands rare alligator gar in Indiana waters

A rare fish not normally seen in Indiana waters was caught earlier this month by a bow angler on the White River.

On June 1, an alligator gar that measured in at 63 inches and 55 pounds was harvested in the southwestern part of the state, according to a news release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Officials said it is the first alligator gar verified by state biologists in recent history. Indiana sits at the northern edge of the historic range of alligator gar, so the species is rarely encountered in the Hoosier state. The fish can grow up to 10 feet and 300 pounds, according to National Geographic.

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“In Indiana, we currently have no regulations on take of alligator gar,” Brian Schoenung, fisheries chief for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, said in a statement. “One alligator gar found in Indiana waters does not create a management need. However, our biologists will be sampling heavily in the area this fish was discovered to determine if any other alligator gar are present.

“Should we find a viable population of alligator gar or as we see more of this species stocked in neighboring states moving into Indiana, we may look to institute management action to regulate take."

DNR fisheries biologists have sampled Indiana’s rivers extensively for the past three decades and no alligator gar were collected in that time. Officials are now working to determine the fish’s age and whether or not it was tagged and released by another state. 

The fish was taken legally, and the bow fisherman who harvested the gar met all Indiana fishing rules and regulations, officials said.

According to the DNR, bow fishing is becoming more popular in Indiana. It is legal all year for Asian carp, bowfin, buffalo, common carp, gar, shad and suckers from rivers, streams and lakes or ponds.

A fishing license is required.

“Bow fishing is a great sport that requires skill,” Schoenung said in a statement. “Our staff puts on several bow fishing workshops a year to introduce new anglers to the sport.”

Alligator gar were once vilified as killers of game fish, but biologists and conservationists now recognize the unique role the species plays as a top level predator, officials said. Many states have taken interest in restoring alligator gar populations.

A restoration program is not being explored at this time in Indiana. 

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.