Spread the love “DNR says Lake Murray does not have alligators. Georgia DNR warned people to give the reptile space even when the gator didn’t pose any threat to the public. 2. Depending on your perspective, it might be good to know that the greater part of the Chattahoochee River is alligator free. That’s when DuPree and his friend, Logan. The lake encompasses 38,000 acres (150 km 2) or 59 sq mi (150 km 2) of water, and 692 mi (1,114 km) of. Gar breathe air, and since hot water is low in oxygen gar tend to rise to the surface and gulp air into. Permits are not required to take big alligator gar on any public waters in Texas other than the Trinity River. As far as I know, it’s the largest even compared to fossil gars. Top photo of Lake Lanier by User: PBT1981, via Wikimedia Commons. Variant Names: Gator Gar. There are two very different summertime approaches to catching largemouth bass on Lanier. Alligator Gar and Longnose Gar. The fossil record traces its group's existence back to the Early Cretaceous over 100 million years ago. It’s a long-lived leviathan with some of the eldest individuals swimming this very moment, having hatched when Apollo 10 navigated around the Moon in May of 1969. . Are alligators in Georgia rivers?That fish is an incredible 283-pound alligator gar caught on Sept. The alligator gar is an alien fish species (species which occurs outside of its natural habitat), native to North America. The gar was a record catch for the lake. The near record alligator is believed to be the second largest alligator ever caught in the state, only. Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue captured a three-foot alligator Wednesday night in Lake Lanier after the gator was first spotted in early July. Lake Lanier’s Striped Bass record is a massive 47 pounds. It provides perfect habitat for alligator gar. The largest alligator gar ever caught in Mississippi weighed 215 pounds and was caught by Earl Stafford while fishing on the Mississippi River near Natchez, MS. A Lake Lanier fishing adventure is a perfect mix of both. Lake Lanier. The largest alligator gar ever caught by rod and reel was pulled out of the Rio Grande back in 1951. Art Weston, a Kentucky resident, went to East Texas to catch the alligator gar. They are also the. The gar was so big, it measured a little more than 7'8". The species name spatula is Latin for "spoon", referring to the creature's broad snout. The alligator gar ( Atractosteus spatula) is a euryhaline ray-finned fish in the clade Ginglymodi of the infraclass Holostei / hoʊˈlɒstiaɪ /, being most closely related to the bowfins. In 2009, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reacted to the increased harvest of trophy alligator gar by imposing a one-fish-per-day bag limit. The lake on this side is much colder—perfect for bass fishing. Anglers can use any legal means or method to take an alligator gar over 48 inches day or night from a section of the Trinity River from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including Lake Livingston and the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard. Water Moccasins tend to prefer slow moving- streams and swamps. A monster 283-pound alligator gar caught in Texas last month has officially been confirmed to have set several state and. The largest recorded alligator gar ever caught weighed 327 pounds, per Field & Stream’s Steven Hill. I spoke with Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue who grabbed the yard-long alligator on Thursday, August 31, 2016. We sampled the alligator gar population in the Red River drainage of Oklahoma–Texas from March 2006 to April 2008 to evaluate population characteristics, identify efficient sampling techniques, and evaluate. These fish weigh up to 5 pounds and are 7 to 12 inches long. ” Alligators Spotted In Lake Blackshea. In recent years, gators have been spotted as far north as Atlanta and Lake Lanier. Alligator gars are long fish with a rich history. Hendershott, Missouri Department of Conservation. A boater spotted a gator north of the Olympic Park area a few days ago,. Alligator Lizards are found in southern B. Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials confirmed they have received multiple reports of alligator sightings at Lake Lanier this summer. Lake Lanier is a deep lake in Georgia that is popular for recreation. 30 — Pickerel. According to the department, it’s illegal to transport and release fish or other. Watch This Insatiable Alligator Turn A Huge Python. Northern Alligator lizards prefer to live in Douglas fir and hemlock. Obviously, it is not a fish that is easily caught, as its sharp teeth will cut most lines in an. The American alligator, found in the southeastern US, may be found in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. See full list on safeharborfishing. In addition to being a great striper fishery, the lake has healthy populations of catfish, bass, crappie, sunfish, walleye, perch, and gar. Two San Antonio anglers caught a 6-foot-5-inch alligator gar at Choke Canyon on Aug. Lake Lanier is a very large and sprawling reservoir situated in the beautiful natural surroundings of Georgia, USA. striper caught on April 3, 2010 by Ward Schanhals. However, these reptiles are not native species to the waters here. LAKE SEMINOLE, Ga. Illustrations provided by A. " The American alligator is black in color with rows of rough scales, or scutes, along its back. Learn about some of the best lakes in Florida for boating and why you should visit them. The Altamaha boasts three state record catfish: an 83 pound flathead, a 44 lb, 12 oz channel cat and a 93 pound blue catfish. The lake record Large Mouth bass is over 17 pounds. Mastering its waters isn’t the easiest task, due to the lake’s mix of deep and shallow areas, underwater structures, and over 600 miles of. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. It’s Called an Alligator Gar because It looks like an Alligator. DNR searching for alligator spotted in Lake Lanier. The remaining three were the result of an alligator mistaking the human for prey. The biggest alligator gar documented was caught in Mississippi’s Lake Chotard in 2011 and weighed a massive 327 pounds. 3. A massive recovery effort of the invasive fish. Alligator Gar. #shorts #alligatorgar #alligator #prehistoric #prehistoricanimals #fish #an. 5 inches and 302 pounds. 8. WATCH. Im not talking about big long noses, I mean alligator gar. 16. A small alligator recently spotted in Lake Lanier has been causing such a stir, you’d think someone had seen the Loch Ness monster. Ever since I was a kid I’ve heard tales of giant catfish in the lake. This park on the western bank of Lake Lanier is near the Buford Dam at the lake’s southern end. Wanted to get everyone's opinion on this. Gar in Lanier average three pounds, but some individuals can reach up to 20 pounds. 8 1. Place Gar between two 8" x 8" pieces of 3/4" plywood. The Lanier lake record striped bass is a 47-lb. My guess is there are probably a bunch of them. 1. In fact, the night before Carr dove into the murky water, his buddy D. What town is Lake Lanier in? Lake Lanier is located in North Georgia, just 60 miles from the state capitol of Atlanta. “The alligator is about 3-feet. Before then, people resided in a town called Oscarville, which was primarily an African American community. S. Tennessee has 4 different species of gar in the state including Alligator Gar, Spotted Gar, Longnose Gar, and Shortnose Gar. Spotted bass in the two pound range are common and fish exceeding four pounds are often found on the end of the line. Well known for its recreational opportunities, Lake Lanier hosts more than 11. According to Discover Lake Lanier, approximately 11. 4 feet in length. That’s the same for fishing on Lake Lanier or your uncle’s secret pond. Not even a little bit. The fish. It is just a 45-minute drive from Atlanta. Table of Contents show. Ken Riddleberger, regional game management supervisor for the. It’s a reservoir that covers 59 square miles. Thirty miles north of Atlanta, the Allatoona Lake Project is a popular boating and fishing destination. Females can exceed 10 feet (3. An angler and a professional guide may have broken two fishing records after they reeled in a massive alligator gar. "The alligator is the largest gar, reaching up. Pack Gar and plywood with 3" of fresh cow manure (dry dung will do in a pinch). Article continues below advertisement. No limit — Crappie. 1-37. Lake Lanier is officially called Lake Sidney Lanier, and it’s a well-known body of water in the state. and the Gulf Islands, plus the southern half of Vancouver Island. Prospect: Lake Lanier supports an abundant Spotted Bass population with plenty of fish over the 14 inch minimum size limit. ) After chasing the gator under docks and around boats, Jason captured it using a snag hook — a “live capture technique that poses no. After catching a potentially world-record alligator gar in September. Port Royale Marina Rentals: Pontoon boats 770 887-5715. 29 meters). They are often called living fossils for a reason. The tried and true method is to fish deep water structure with SuperSpin tipped with a soft plastic swimbait. The alligator gar is the most tolerant gar species of high salinity and occasionally strays into salt water. Satilla River rooster. The record for longnose gar on Lake Allatoona was smashed last week by angler Caleb McClure. Lake Lanier’s Striped Bass record is a massive 47 pounds. But it is not just their looks that are unique. Recently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel in West Tennessee at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. An alligator perched on a log in Lake Waccamaw, NC. Biologists have discovered that. . The catch could set a new world record. Gerald Kennedy’s record-sized 30 pound 13 ounce gar caught on Lake Lanier on 9-4-13. DNR officials believe the photos. Congratulations, Lester on a great catch. Alligator hunting in Georgia has gained popularity in recent years, offering a unique and exciting experience. Alligator gar reach an enormous 13 feet long and fatten to a plump 300 pounds. That long-standing world record (also listed in the Texas game fishing records) tipped the scales at a massive 279 pounds. Boatsetter empowers people to explore with confidence by showing them a world of possibility on the water. Lufkin native Mason DuPree was at work when his friend called him, telling him that his uncle was out on Rayburn and saw alligator gar spawning. Lake Palestine and B. Srinagar: The discovery of a carnivorous Alligator Gar fish in Kashmir’s famous Dal Lake has set the alarm bells ringing among scientists and authorities as its presence poses a great threat to the native fish species. Harrison caught the gar while fishing with her husband Jason for white bass in the Coosa River near the town of Rome, Georgia, on March 19. Over the years the gar has achieved fish-tale notoriety, including a grainy picture on the Internet of a 10-foot alligator gar stretched out on a board in Mississippi, circa 1910. Six of these incidents happened as a result of the human stepping on or otherwise making contact with a submerged alligator. 5-Foot Allatoona Gar Almost Breaks State Record. Anglers also go for the smallmouth and spotted bass, bream, alligator gar, sauger, saugeye, green and redear sunfish, and trout in Grand Lake. Some fish will only show interest if the player has applied specific bait to their fishing line. Later that year, video of a 5-6′ alligator in Lake Norman was released to the local news. An angler and a professional guide may have broken two fishing records after they reeled in a massive alligator gar. American and/or Hickory. Grand Lake is also known for monster catfish. There are several boat clubs and launches around the lake and shore fishing is known to be quite productive. , 12-oz. 5 cm TL and weighing 18. However, it wasn’t caught in Texas, but rather in Mississippi, and it happened completely by accident. 2, 2023, as Weston fished aboard Capt. 0. The waters are too cold for alligators to survive long-term. The fish’s thick, spongy, and. By McClatchy. 6 km²) of water, Lake Marion is an excellent place for many recreational opportunities. Young may be seen at the surface in debris such as leaves and twigs. Just out having fun with some friends. Length-3. The state record for an alligator gar fish is 302 pounds, which was caught on a trotline in 1953. May 1, 1995. Wednesday near Don Carter State Park, located on the Chattahoochee River portion of Lake Lanier. Solomon David (part 1). Alligator Gar one of four species in Kentucky. Harrison’s fish tops the state longnose gar record previously held by Gerald Kennedy, who caught a 30-pound, 13-ounce fish from Lake Lanier in 2013. The baby gator, estimated at no longer than three feet, raised eyebrows after being spotted. Spread the love. Lake Blackshear might be the most alligator-infested lake in Georgia. 14 May, 2023, 12:30 pm. 9 kg by October 6 (Toole 1971). You can follow seagulls hovering over Lanier until your $75,000 boat runs out of gas. 2 during a weeklong trip to Sam Rayburn Lake, about. A week later, on September 12th, 1912, an 18-year-old white woman named Mae Crow was raped and beaten in the Big Creek community of Forsyth County Georgia. It is considered the largest alligator gar ever caught in Lake Corpus Christi. , 12-oz. A 207-pound alligator gar set a record for Lake Corpus Christi before it was released back into the water recently. 25 pounds. LUFKIN, Texas (KETK) – Three East Texans reeled in over 500 lbs of alligator gar at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Lake Lanier is a deep lake in Georgia that is. The alligator gar is our largest gar and has a distinctively short, broad snout: the least width of the snout goes only about 3–5 times into its length. On a hot morning in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, two men pulled up nets from a lake in hopes of catching alligator gar, one of the largest and most feared fish. The previous confirmed record alligator gar was a 279-pounder caught in Texas’ Rio Grande River in 1951, according to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, a museum in Wisconsin that keeps. Franklin/American Museum of Natural History. Buyout: $75 million. gov or by calling the Fisheries Division at 615-781-6575. It will be released in South Georgia on Thursday. Using a J-hook and a six-pound fishing line, the giant fish was caught, weighed, and then released. ”“A single Alligator Gar measuring 145. An alligator, which is estimated to be about 2-to-3-feet long, has been seen on the north end of Lake Lanier near Don Carter State Park. The other reason is a bit surprising. government purchased more than 50,000 acres of farmland, which ultimately displaced more than 250 families, 15 businesses, and relocated 20 cemeteries along with their corpses in the. Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of Americas favorite lakes. Thanks for watching!! In this video, I let go of my pet. For alligator and other wildlife-related emergencies, call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-922-5431. June 28, 2019 11:53 AM. 4 min read. Are the fish in Lake Lanier edible? January 1, 2023 September 15, 2022 by Brent Pollock Currently, Lake Lanier has consumption guidelines that recommend limiting consumption of largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, carp and channel catfish to one meal per week because of mercury concentrations exceeding human health criteria. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator. I caught my first gar on lanier this weekend and it made me wonder how many there are on the lake, and how many times when I'm striper fishing and I think it's spots messing with my bait it's actually gar. Growth of older fish is much slower, taking about 10 years to attain a total length of 1 mAlligator gar reach an enormous 13 feet long and fatten to a plump 300 pounds. 4 oz George Perry Montgomery Lake June 1932 Bass, Redeye 3 lb. 15 — Shad. On a hot morning in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, two men pulled up nets from a lake in hopes of catching alligator gar, one of the largest and most feared fish. Alligator gar prefer large rivers that have a large overflow floodplane, but these rivers have all but disappeared in North America due to the use of dredging, dams. This means even at higher levels it does not create a mat on the water but can be seen as a green tint in the water. Lake. While the. What state has the most alligator gar? In Georgia, one of the best places to pursue longnose gar is on Lake Lanier in Hall County. Bundles. Lake Lanier Videos. The best summer fishing spots for gar are the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush. If you have never caught a Spotted Bass you are in for one of the hardest fights pound for pound that exist. Tickets for the Lakeside Lights Spectacular are. It’s a reservoir that covers 59 square miles. A crankbait is a moving bait made for catching the predatory species of fish under the surface as a moving animal imitating a baitfish in its environment. 00:00. The fisherman's brother, Gerardo Benitez. The information can be submitted by filling out the Alligator Gar Angler Report Form online, by emailing alligatorgar. In 1975 Clay wrote that “the largest one on record, a female taken from Belle Island Lake, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, was nine feet, 8 1/2. While you can’t expect to catch them that big every time, most of the lake’s gars. These fish weigh up to 5 pounds and are 7 to 12 inches long. reports@tn. In 2016, an alligator measuring 2 to 3 feet was spotted on the northern part of Lake Lanier near Don Carter State Park. Quick Links. If you have your tackle and line ready to go, then visit this state park for the best fishing around. Ever. This impressive 8,000-acre lake is known as the best lake in North Texas! There’s a ton to do outside of the water, like hiking, camping, biking, and picnicking, as well as windsurfing, boating, and fishing activities on the water. Lake Lanier Fish – Alligator Gar. 682) among the nonhybrid individuals of the four gar species examined. Lots of gar on upper lake Lanier on both arms and there used to be literally thousands of 3+ footers in Little River area. Yes, naturally, alligators do live in Lake Lanier. The Florida gar is a smaller fish weighing between 3 and 10 pounds while measuring about 1. 5lber caught on big baits. Black Crappie. Some fishermen reported the reptile last week. Long and slender with toothy mouths and hard, diamond-shaped scales, they are most common in warm, sluggish rivers and lakes. The largest longnose gar ever caught in Georgia was 31 pounds and 2 ounces. As the name implies, Alligator. 6 kg was reported from Clifton Court Forebay, a water storage reservoir located at the head of the California Aqueduct, near. Channel and/or Flathead. An alligator gar can grow to eight feet in length and weigh more than 300 pounds. C. 4) I put a bream on a rod to troll,” said Gerald, who lives in Murrayville. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, while the gator does not pose a threat to public, people should still give the animal space. The gator that’s been making news recently was spotted across the Chattahoochee River from Don Carter State Park. Variant Names: Gator Gar. There was a large population of black carpenters, bricklayers, and. Also on the Chestatee side there are lots in Thompson Creek area. state of Georgia. Hot, calm summer days are perfect for gar fishing for a couple of reasons. I have caught a few largish gar when I got lucky and hooked them just right so the line didn't touch the teeth. The alligator gar is the most tolerant gar species of high salinity and occasionally strays into salt water. Bony scales covering its body make it look like an armored dinosaur, and for good reason. Sections. Fluctuations in the depth of Lake Lanier occur. Prospect: Lake Lanier supports an abundant Spotted Bass population with plenty of fish over the 14 inch minimum size limit. m. Alligator gar get big — really big — and they look like something that should be swimming around with dinosaurs, not bass and crappie. After catching big stripers we had a little fun being in the lead for the lake lanier billfish classic series! Shooting for the money! What kind of Gar are in Lake Lanier? Longnose Gar : Gar are a relic from a large group of primitive fish. Fear no more, watergoers — Lake Lanier's rogue alligator has been apprehended. A U. Some. Growing appreciation of biodiversity and the role of apex predators, along with the increasing popularity of multispecies and trophy-oriented angling, has elevated the status of gars—in particular, the Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula—among anglers and biologists alike. Alligators might be cute when they’re little, but they don’t stay little for long. Spread the love. That may or may not come as much of a surprise since Lake Lanier is ranked one of the 10 most polluted lakes in the United States. The saline levels in Lake Pontchartrain have dropped over the last few decades, so there might be more alligators showing up. The town of Oscarville was once a bustling, turn-of-the-century community and a beacon for Black culture in the South. 22 lb, 4 oz. Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) populations are declining in the southern United States and Mexico, prompting increasing efforts by state and federal agencies to manage populations. September 18, 2022 by Brent Pollock. In 2023, Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular runs nightly at 5pm from November 22 – 26 and December 1 to January 3, then weekends only through January 15. Caleb caught. The discovery of an alligator gar fish in Jammu and Kashmir’s Dal lake has raised concerns as it could pose a threat to the native fish species. A 207-pound alligator gar set a record for Lake Corpus Christi before it was released back into the water recently. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries down in Missouri and also Mississippi. It’s a long-lived leviathan with some of the eldest individuals swimming this very moment, having hatched when Apollo 10 navigated around the moon in May of 1969. May 1, 1995. By Jess Thomson. Gar. Fishing At Lake Lanier AKA: Lake Sidney Lanier Fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow perch, striped bass and longnose gar at Lake. officials wrote. A week later, on September 12th, 1912, an 18-year-old white woman named Mae Crow was raped and beaten in the Big Creek community of Forsyth County Georgia. Lake Lanier (officially Lake Sidney Lanier) is a reservoir in the northern portion of the U. Currently, Lake Lanier has consumption guidelines that recommend limiting consumption of largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, carp and channel catfish to one meal per week because of mercury concentrations exceeding human health criteria. The largest alligator gar ever caught weighed 327 pounds and was captured in 2001. In fact, the world-record alligator gar, caught in Mississippi in 2011, was probably around 95 years old at the time. 2. 08"E). Few anglers are aware that Lake Chatuge is full of 6- to 8-lb. 5-foot, 39. Are there alligator gar in Lake Murray? May 7, 2023 September 14, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Lake Lanier Videos. 7 18. “This is an Alligator Gar fish which is normally found in. Are the fish in Lake Lanier edible? January 1, 2023 September 15, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Hefner’s alligator gar set a new record at Lake Corpus Christi for the largest catch of the species. ” Blake is a bass fisherman and never really focuses on any other species of fish, but on this day he was in for a big surprise. According to the TPWD, a 207 lb. We weren’t kidding when we said that Lake Texoma is a seriously diverse fishery. The longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), also known as longnose garpike or billy gar, is a ray-finned fish in the family Lepisosteidae. A roughly 13-foot, 700-pound alligator was recently found in an irrigation ditch, officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said this week. KSA Parks officials say alligator sightings are not entirely uncommon for areas bordering Lake Houston waterways and have been reported many times over the years. I have had some of these gar for over 4 years now. Jason Clark caught the alligator that had been spotted on Lake Lanier. S. This excludes Weekly Wants, please confirm with the villagers if Alligator Gar is desired on special occasions. 90lb+ Trophy Alligator Gar in Fishing Planet?! Do you love River Monsters?! Get tips from me, as well as scenes from River Monsters episodes as we chase down. These giant fish have a growing, almost cult-like following of anglers, and for good reason. The tiny critter — it’s estimated to be about. The massive reptile was found in the. S. Alligator gar reach an enormous 13 feet long and fatten to a plump 300 pounds. Fishing Boat Rentals. Expert anglers prefer fishing at West Bank Park because this part of Lake Lanier has cooler and deeper waters that carp and bass typically inhabit. Okay, not really bacon, but you know what we mean. Allatoona connects a network of boat ramps, day-use areas, and camps. They can easily get up to eight feet long; maybe even close to 10 feet historically, but we don’t have great records of that. This summer, Lanier anglers should target areas near the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush. It is the largest freshwater species of turtle in North America. Young may be seen at the surface in debris such as leaves and twigs. That’s why we wimps can shout “Hoo. Two different alligators were spotted in the lake. Kentucky angler Art Weston with the 283 pound alligator gar he caught and released at Sam Rayburn Reservoir on Sept. Weiss, Lanier, and Hartwell!! Oct 7, 2010 #14. Chain, Grass and/or Redfin. Alligator photo courtesy Georgia Department of. In June 2017, a 101-pound Senior Member. Welcome to my guide on how to catch the alligator gar on Quanchkin Lake for the zombie bait! In this video, we'll discuss the steps needed to capture this el. , making it a convenient spot for a weekend getaway in. Teamwork and grueling hours produce a 705-pound, 12-foot, 6-inch giant gator for two Georgia brothers. From the range maps, one can gather that Cobb County, Lake Allatoona, Lake Lanier, and the entire north- eastern region of Georgia, should be Water Moccasin free, and any snake we see in the water is most likely the harmless Water Snake. On April 3, he landed the biggest striped bass ever caught in Lake Lanier – a whopping 47. Largemouth Bass Variant Names: Black Bass, Green Trout, Bigmouth Bass, Lineside Bass. Adult spotted gar are perhaps the easiest to identify due to the presence of dark spots on the head, body and fins. With more than 700 miles of shoreline sprawling across 38,000 acres of water, spectacular Lake Lanier is the largest lake in Georgia and a popular destination for boating, swimming and unforgettable lake vacations. Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) populations are declining in the southern United States and Mexico, prompting increasing efforts by state and federal agencies to manage populations. One of the heaviest alligator gars on record measured 8-feet, 5-inches. On Wednesday. Lake Lanier is officially called Lake Sidney Lanier, and it’s a well-known body of water in the state. Senney took a 191-pounder with a bow and arrow. There are two very different summertime approaches to catching largemouth bass on Lanier. Fluctuations in the depth of Lake Lanier occur. “The alligator is about 3-feet. But avid angler Olaf Nelson, who in 2013 was the first to catch an alligator gar in Illinois in 50 years -- a 2-footer in a stocked lake -- said they're important whether anyone wants to fish for. Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials.