IN THE PAST CENTURY the alligator gar has been both feared and coveted by anglers fishing in Alabama’s waters. In the mid-1980s, it became a popular game fish among recreational and commercial fishers. During this time, state biologists with the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) became concerned that the population of alligator gar may not withstand the increased fishing pressure. In addition, they noticed that fewer and smaller alligator gar were seen rolling in the Blakely River and other waters near their Spanish Fort, Alabama, office.

To protect the population, they asked the Alabama Legislature to pass a regulation designating the alligator gar a sportfish in Alabama and limiting the harvest; anglers could keep two fish per day. This regulation, which was passed in 1992, completely shut down commercial fishing of alligator gar; however, information regarding the status of the population and how to manage it was still lacking.

Today most alligator gar anglers in Alabama use bow fishing equipment, generally consisting of a recurve or compound bow, fitted with a reel, and arrows with expanding broadheads. These anglers prefer to shoot large alligator gar (greater than 6.5 feet total length) and consequently the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries was concerned about the effect of removing large fish from the population. Therefore, the Division commissioned a study on alligator gar in Alabama to determine life history characteristics, population dynamics, and effects of potential management actions.

Contrary to popular belief, alligator gar, left, do not eat many sportfish, as evidenced by this shad that was removed from one fish's stomach. Fish in the study were often so large, right, that they were measured with a quilters tape.

During 1996-2000, 44 alligator gar were collected from the rivers that connect to Mobile Bay, as well as in Mobile Bay. Researchers primarily used gill nets in the spring and “floaters” (a type of jug line) in the summer to collect the gar. Eighteen additional fish were donated by anglers, indicating their desire to help learn more about their favorite fish. The sampled fish were evaluated to determine age and growth, size structure, and some aspects of reproduction. The data were used to construct population models to assist in assessment of management actions.

Results of the study indicate that alligator gar live long (the oldest was 50 years in age), mature late (at about age 14), and although they are very slow growing (averaging 4.1 inches per year and 3.2 pounds per year, see figures 1 and 2), they attain large sizes (maximum weight was 156 pounds). In addition, female alligator gar produce more eggs as they mature; therefore, the largest females contribute the most eggs to the population (Figure 3). This information is critical from a management perspective because it is the largest alligator gar that are targeted by recreational anglers. Population models indicate that selective removal of large females could impact the population's viability.

The data from this study will be used to assist Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries biologists develop management options for alligator gar populations in Alabama. The population models indicated that managing the adult individuals will have the most impact on population growth rates. Potential options are to further limit harvest of alligator gar by either reducing the creel limit, imposing maximum size restrictions, providing refuge areas, or making trophy tags available for purchase. The trophy tag option would allow limited harvest of large alligator gar and would also provide the agency with the opportunity to collect information on the anglers and the fish they harvest. In addition to the work in Alabama, the researchers also collected data on other populations of alligator gar in the Southeast. Those data suggest that the Alabama population of alligator gar is more stable than in other states that have higher harvest rates, suggesting that the two-fish-per-day creel limit has been a positive management action.

Other southeastern states have listed alligator gar as either “endangered” or “imperiled” and discussion about reestablishment of populations is ongoing. Unfortunately, little is known about juvenile stages of alligator gar, and although aquaculture management techniques are available for the species, potential restoration of populations through stocking will require additional data. Research regarding genetic structure of populations also is needed to assist aquaculturists and managers with potential population enhancement or restoration.

Irwin is an Assistant Professor of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and an Assistant Unit Leader for the Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit*; Ferrara is a Doctoral Candidate of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures. *Cooperators are: US Geological Survey; the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries; the Wildlife Management Institute; and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.