Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
The shortnose gar is a primitive freshwater fish with a short, broad snout and diamond-shaped ganoid scales. It is the smallest of the gar species and has a more robust body compared to other gars.
Shortnose Gar at a glance
- Scientific name
- Lepisosteus platostomus
- Typical size
- 18-24 inches, 2-4 lbs
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Uncommon
Habitat
Shortnose gar inhabit slow-moving rivers, backwaters, oxbow lakes, and vegetated areas of large river systems throughout the Mississippi River basin. Anglers typically target them in shallow, weedy areas using live bait or artificial lures, often fishing near the surface where gars come to gulp air.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a shortnose gar through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksShortnose Gar questions people ask
Shortnose Gar is Lepisosteus platostomus.
A typical shortnose gar runs 18-24 inches, 2-4 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every shortnose gar you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Shortnose gar inhabit slow-moving rivers, backwaters, oxbow lakes, and vegetated areas of large river systems throughout the Mississippi River basin. Anglers typically target them in shallow, weedy areas using live bait or artificial lures, often fishing near the surface where gars come to gulp air. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.