Known for being the largest lake in all of South Carolina, covering about 110,600 acres (447. S. Cypress Lake, Louisiana. S. These include Longnose, Shortnose and Spotted Gar. , 13-oz. 2. Historically there have been numerous other reports of 20 feet long alligators across the [email protected] of alligator gar, a non-native predator fish mostly found in North America, in Srinagar’s Dal Lake on Thursday not only surprised experts in Kashmir, but also triggered a flurry of. In 2015, a. Lake Lanier News. A 10-foot alligator gar from Moon Lake, Mississippi, March 1910. The reptile was caught and transported to an alligator range in south Georgia in May 2016. A summery day at Georgia’s Lake Lanier ended in tragedy on Thursday when Thomas Shepard Milner was electrocuted after jumping off of his family’s dock into the lake below. Carters Lake-Home to good numbers of keeper-size channel catfish. Hendershott, Missouri Department of Conservation. Anglers on the Rio Grande are still chasing the next record. 1-37. Texas Parks and Wildlife shared a photo of the record catch on the ground next. The species is native to freshwater habitats in the United States. June 28, 2019 11:53 AM. It’s Called an Alligator Gar because It looks like an Alligator. The alligator gar is a large fish, weighing between 100 and 350 pounds and measuring between 6 and 10 feet long. Jack Barnett, Gainesville, Georgia, has been guiding for longnose on Georgia's Lake Lanier for about 8 years. In the summer, you might even see them sunning on a. 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. Shop Stuffed animals & Plush toys online at Toys R Us Canada. Captain Watersports Rentals: Pontoon boats 678 643-8010. 99. 22 lb, 4 oz. The next morning Crow’s body was found. How to Get Fishing Bait. Science Reporter. Hefner’s alligator gar set a new record at Lake Corpus Christi for the largest catch of the species. (Special Photo. Information about fishing Lake Lanier Alligator Gar. A. American alligators are not endangered and are much larger, typically ranging between 11 and 16 feet long. Guests will enjoy the luxury Lake Lanier lodges, villas and lake houses at Lanier Islands in Georgia. The best summer fishing spots for gar are the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush. First, gar tend to feed most actively on small open-water forage fish like young-of-the year gizzard shad at this time of year. As far as I know, it’s the largest even compared to fossil gars. HALL COUNTY, Ga. The lake also has healthy populations of catfish, crappie, sunfish, walleye, perch, and gar. A 207-pound alligator gar set a record for Lake Corpus Christi before it was released back. Alligator gar is the largest of the gar species. 95 m in total length (Suttkus 1963). Lake Lanier has a new neighbor – an alligator. Largemouth Bass Variant Names: Black Bass, Green Trout, Bigmouth Bass, Lineside Bass. However, because of its murky water covered with tree trunks and other debris that can easily entangle swimmers, Lake Lanier can be dangerous. 1 of 2. Record: 45-25. However, these reptiles are not native species to the waters here. Balus Creek Public Boat Launch Ramp. A six-foot alligator gar is usually between 10 and 30 years old, weighing about 100 pounds, while a seven-footer could be much older, according to TPWD. Bony scales covering its body make it look like an armored dinosaur, and for good reason. 4 106 Alligator gar 214-226 56. The 300-plus pounder was caught in a commercial fisherman’s net. 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. By Tom Regan, WSB-TV August 30, 2016 at 6:01 pm EDT. These fish weigh up to 5 pounds and are 7 to 12 inches long. 8. It is the largest example of the species ever caught in the state park, Texas Parks and Wildlife. I got on the water around 10:30. A U. Lake Lanier Photos. The fisherman's brother, Gerardo Benitez. Are there giant catfish in Lake Lanier? May 25, 2023 September 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock. The information can be submitted by filling out the Alligator Gar Angler Report Form online, by emailing alligatorgar. Currently: TBD. Adults have two rows of large teeth on either side of the upper jaw. It was caught out of a Mississippi lake, an oxbow of the Mississippi River, in a fisherman’s gill net. See full list on safeharborfishing. 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. In June 2017, a 101-pound Senior Member. The lake is around 18 miles from Vicksburg and about 13 miles north of Eagle Lake. of alligator gar populations in areas with limited nursery habitats. 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 biggest alligator ever found in Louisiana was a massive 19ft 2in. An alligator was sighted this week in Lake Lanier and it wasn’t the first time, officials say. The Del Rio resident took the giant prehistoric fish face-to-face with a spear gun. The Lanier lake record striped bass is a 47-lb. Photo not available (as nice as it may have been to see!). Even among the four species of gar that occur in Texas — longnose. George Lake, straddles the Alabama-Georgia line some 170 miles. Use pliers to remove the bones connecting the dorsal fins to the spine. It is just a 45-minute drive from Atlanta. Lake of the Ozarks Fish – Alligator Gar. Also on the Chestatee side there are lots in Thompson Creek area. Butler Lake is a lake located just 9. In 2016, an alligator measuring 2 to 3 feet was spotted on the northern part of Lake Lanier near Don Carter State Park. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area, Lee’s Summit, MO. alligator gar was caught on Lake Corpus Christi before. " Kentucky angler Art Weston is no stranger to the International Game Fish Association record book. Allatoona Lake has 12,010 acres of land and 270 kilometers of coastline. Two different alligators were spotted in the lake. 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 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. Black and/or White. Game fish made up 20 percent of what the gar had consumed, with. It can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds. Photo not available (as nice as it may have been to see!). Adult male American alligators. Satilla River rooster. 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. Alligators. Lake Lanier is a large reservoir that was completed in 1956 and has become a local getaway for people living in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Don’t get too excited, though, as there have been sightings in the southern part. The lake encompasses 38,000 acres, or 59 square miles of water, and 692 miles of. Alligators begin courtship in April throughout most of their range and breed in late May and early June. A boater spotted a gator north of the Olympic Park area a few days ago,. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. China Officials Drain 30-Acre City Lake to Search For Invading Alligator Gar—Don’t Find It. Never capture an alligator for a pet. The fish was weighed 327 lb (148 kg), and it had a. The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) was cleaning the world. According to the department, it’s illegal to transport and release fish or other. In a rare discovery, the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) have discovered a rare kind of fish for the first time in Dal Lake. Hunting in the refuge is not allowed). The oldest alligator gar on record is estimated at 94 years old, weighing 327 pounds and measuring 8 feet, 5 inches. Just out having fun with some friends. 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. Caleb caught. Alligator Gar. Spotted Gar have dark. He and his expert guide Kirk Kirkland released the giant fish back into the water. Lake Lanier. Thirty miles north of Atlanta, the Allatoona Lake Project is a popular boating and fishing destination. I had let the slack run out of the line, and honestly, I wasn’t. Channel and/or Flathead. Montgomery Lake. You can follow seagulls hovering over Lanier until your $75,000 boat runs out of gas. Continue reading. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is highlighting a major catch at one of the Lone Star State's lakes. The gar was a record catch for the lake. Lake Chatuge Hybrids Are Back. According to the experts, the fish is called an 'Alligator Gar' fish. 1. Growing up to 10 feet in length and weighing over 300 pounds, this ancient fish species has thrived in the state’s rivers and lakes for millions of years. FREE SHIPPING* on eligible. Catfish. Most live to be around 50 years old. Top photo of Lake Lanier by User: PBT1981, via Wikimedia Commons. Solomon David (part 1). The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reminds residents that while alligators do not pose a threat to humans, they should be kept as pets. One of the heaviest alligator gars on record measured 8-feet, 5-inches. Huntin’ the Kraken, 985-750-0670. Scott Evans and a team of hunters caught a 900 pound alligator at Lake Eufaula on Friday. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, power generation, and recreation. 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. Allatoona Lake has 12,010 acres of land and 270 kilometers of coastline. Paul Hefner lay down in the grass beside his prized catch — a gray, scaly fish that extended beyond Hefner’s body. Alligator Gar have a distinct short, wide snout (like an alligator when viewed from above) compared to all other species (see below). Gerald Kennedy’s record-sized 30 pound 13 ounce gar caught on Lake Lanier on 9-4-13. Office: (843) 546-0113. We weren’t kidding when we said that Lake Texoma is a seriously diverse fishery. There was a large population of black carpenters, bricklayers, and. If you have never caught a Spotted Bass you are in for one of the hardest fights pound for pound that exist. Table of Contents show. Lake. The record was previously held by Randy Hand, who harvested his 13-foot, 9-inch gator on Sept. This summer, Lanier anglers should target areas near the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush. The tried and true method is to fish deep water structure with SuperSpin tipped with a soft plastic swimbait. 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. Are there alligator gar in lake lanier. The lake record Large Mouth bass is over 17 pounds. . Gars are elongated, cylindrical fish with long snouts with numerous prominent teeth. The Lanier lake record striped bass is a 47-lb. temminckii is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world. 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 spotted in Lake Lanier. Alligator Lizards are found in southern B. I have caught a few largish gar when I got lucky and hooked them just right so the line didn't touch the teeth. 6. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. After catching a potentially world-record alligator gar in September. Harrison’s big fish took a small 1/8-ounce jig. Solomon David. The fossil record traces its group's. Many reports of individuals catching alligator gar from the Trinity River to the Brazos River include catches up to seven feet. Part 1 is all about the biology of these amazing fish with a focus on Alligator Gar. A 4- to 5-foot-long, 45-pound gator was found dead in Lake Wylie near the Highway 74 bridge in Belmont. m. A monster 283-pound alligator gar caught in Texas last month has officially been confirmed to have set several state and. Scientific Name: Atractosteus spatula It is the largest species in the Gar family. The record for longnose gar on Lake Allatoona was smashed last week by angler Caleb McClure. Gar average three pounds on Lanier, but can reach up to 20 pounds. The biggest fish ever caught in Lake Lanier was a flathead catfish that weighed in at over 62 pounds! The fish was caught by a fisherman using a kayak, which just goes to show that you don’t need a big boat to catch a big fish. That doesn’t mean you’ll catch fish. 3 m) and 1,000 pounds (473 kg). A new record was set in April for the largest alligator gar caught at Lake Corpus. Alligator gar longer than six feet are considered to be more vulnerable to angler harvest due to their more desirable “trophy” size. 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. . Steinhagen Lake are. An angler hooked a “magnificent beast” while fishing in southeast Texas, setting a new record with his catch, according to wildlife officials. A Texas man is about to claim the new alligator gar world record for a monstrous fish he took out of the Amistad Reservoir. “This is an Alligator Gar fish which is normally found in. 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. Using a J-hook and a six-pound fishing line, the giant fish was caught, weighed, and then released. The fossil record traces its group's existence back to the. Included on the monster fish list are alligator gar, lake sturgeon, paddlefish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish. Georgia’s largest lake is Lake Lanier, a popular fishing spot in the state. . DNR officials believe the photos. Two San Antonio anglers caught a 6-foot-5-inch alligator gar at Choke Canyon on Aug. They are the only species of the family Lepisosteidae found in New Mexico. I have caught a few largish gar when I got lucky and hooked them just right so the line didn't touch the teeth. You might see fish wiggling down below in 144 colors on your fish finder, but they’re not called “fish catchers” for a reason. Brothers Cody and Charles Quirk from Harris County, Georgia, worked late into the night to tag one of the biggest alligators caught in Georgia this year. He also sells a line of weightless economy lures. . How did the Service arrive at this finding? The Service conducted a thorough review of the alligator snapping turtle via a species status assessment (SSA). RELATED. Longnose Gar have a much longer, narrower snout. The lake was created when the Chattahoochee River was dammed by the Buford Dam in the 1950s. Gar in Lanier average three pounds, but some individuals can reach up to 20 pounds. The wind was blowing up into a shallow gras. 16. 0. redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow perch, striped bass, and longnose gar. Brinkman, Oklahoma State University, personal communication). The gar was so big, it measured a little more than 7'8". 4 min read. Then one day I was out on Lake Lanier striper fishing and something hit the rod so hard it cracked it right in two. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries down in Missouri and also Mississippi. Montgomery Lake. 19, 2010, in Decatur County. Alligator Gar can be found in Kilima Lake. In fact, the night before Carr dove into the murky water, his buddy D. 8 1. They can weigh over 300 pounds. (Special Photo) There’s a gator in Bulldog Country and, no, it’s not exactly one of the college football variety. 25 pounds. J. The majority of algae in Lake Lanier is non filamentous nontoxic algae species. The longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), also known as longnose garpike or billy gar, is a ray-finned fish in the family Lepisosteidae. This includes the. The waters are too cold for alligators to survive long-term. 7 18. The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large species of turtle in the family Chelydridae. May 13, 2023. This alligator gar wasn’t going down easily, and apparently China has no version of Amos Moses to do the dirty work. Payton Moore dreams of giant fish. Some fishermen reported the reptile last week. The Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a large-bodied fish that can reach 2. Courtesy/Paul Myers. Hefner explained how to age a catch. I had let the slack run out of the line, and honestly, I wasn’t. Alligator Gar Variant Names: Gator Gar Spotted Gar. State wildlife officials are warning boaters and swimmers to be on the lookout for the gator. Why is Lake Lanier water green? January 1, 2023 September 13, 2022 by Brent Pollock. 21, 2023 at 6:19 PM CDTAlligator gar 153-183 28. Jacob Cannon told Channel 9 he was hanging out with friends Saturday night at Belmont's. 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. The females are larger than males. The creation of Lake Lanier was plagued with problems from the beginning. However, it wasn’t caught in Texas, but rather in Mississippi, and it happened completely by accident. May 1, 1995. Spread the love. Table of Contents show. The state record for an alligator gar fish is 302 pounds, which was caught on a trotline in 1953. It is the largest species in the gar family (Lepisosteidae), and is among the largest freshwater fish in North America. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. 4 oz George Perry Montgomery Lake June 1932 Bass, Redeye 3 lb. They are often called living fossils for a reason. (Jason is an official DNR alligator agent-trapper. Lake Lanier boasts over 38,000 acres of the best Striped and Spotted Bass fishing in the country. Later that year, video of a 5-6′ alligator in Lake Norman was released to the local news. The remaining three were the result of an alligator mistaking the human for prey. Teamwork and grueling hours produce a 705-pound, 12-foot, 6-inch giant gator for two Georgia brothers. September 18, 2022 by Brent Pollock. A boater spotted a gator north of the Olympic Park area a few days ago, according to Channel 2 Action News. Ever. In 2011, a. They spent seven hours that night before. The world’s largest alligator gar was caught in a Mississippi lake and weighed 327 pounds! About Alligator Gar. Lake Lanier is officially called Lake Sidney Lanier, and it’s a well-known body of water in the state. State wildlife officials are warning boaters and swimmers to be on the lookout for the gator. A small alligator recently spotted in Lake Lanier has been causing such a stir, you’d think someone had seen the Loch Ness monster. Zone 01A*: Lake Walter F. If you have never caught a Spotted Bass you are in for one of the hardest fights pound for pound that exist. In recent years, gators have been spotted as far north as Atlanta and Lake Lanier. According to the TPWD, a 207 lb. A second approach involves casting swim baits, flukes, and top water baits over humps during the early morning hours. Southeastern Reptile Rescue caught the gator around 10:30 p. 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. These giant fish have a growing, almost cult-like following of anglers, and for good reason. Do Lake Lanier Have Alligators? The local news source stated, “An alligator, which is estimated to be about 2 to 3 feet long, has been spotted near Don Carter State Park on Lake Lanier’s north end. Knoxville police officers disciplined after death of Lisa Edwards. The Amistad Reservoir is a cove-riddled lake located in southern Texas on the Rio Grande. Permits are not required to take big alligator gar on any public waters in Texas other than the Trinity River. – 5 p. 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. Females lay a single clutch of 30 to 50. May 1, 1995. It provides perfect habitat for alligator gar. September 18, 2022 by Brent Pollock. 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. The world’s largest alligator gar was caught in a Mississippi lake and weighed 327 pounds! About Alligator Gar. Alligator. In Oklahoma, alligator gar are mainly found in the Red River system, which includes Lake Texoma and its tributaries. Are the fish in Lake Lanier edible? January 1, 2023 September 15, 2022 by Brent Pollock. The fish died not long after commercial fisherman Kenny Williams reeled him in at Lake. Texas has the largest population of trophy alligator gar in the world, with the upper Trinity River above Lake Livingston the hotbed for fishing and bowhunting. Adult male American alligators. Wednesday near Don Carter State Park, located on the Chattahoochee River portion of Lake Lanier. An angler and a professional guide may have broken two fishing records after they reeled in a massive alligator gar. Lake Lanier’s Striped Bass record is a massive 47 pounds. The largest alligator gar ever caught by rod and reel was pulled out of the Rio Grande back in 1951. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, power generation, and recreation. By Dakota Shadle Penn State DuBois. , 12-oz. Nov 26, 2021. Identification. Lures come with pre-tied leaders of 30-pound monofilament. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. 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. The alligator gar measured eight feet, four inches long, with a girth of 48 inches. Shortnose gar Variant Names: Billy Gar, Short-Billed Gar, Stub-Nose Gar Longnose Gar Variant Names: Needlenose Gar, Billfish, Billy Gar Smallmouth. I spoke with Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue who grabbed the yard-long alligator on Thursday, August 31, 2016. These giant catfish live in the dusky waters of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. Lake Lanier News. Well known for its recreational opportunities, Lake Lanier hosts more than 11. — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources are warning swimmers and boaters to beware of an alligator that’s been spotted in Lake Lanier over the past few weeks. This is a scan of artwork commissioned by the Fish and Wildlife Service in the 1970s of a spotted gar. Adult spotted gar are perhaps the easiest to identify due to the presence of dark spots on the head, body and fins. Website Price: $24. A 207-pound alligator gar set a record for Lake Corpus Christi before it was released back. After more than 90 years, this legendary catch is STILL a Georgia State Record and tied as the World Record. Morgan Hart, Alligator Project Leader. A small alligator recently spotted in Lake Lanier has been causing such a stir, you’d think someone had seen the Loch Ness monster. IV last Thursday, about 8 years after he was reported missing in 2015. 31. Where Is Lake Lanier on the Map? Lake Lanier, a man-made marvel, is located in the northeastern part of Georgia. 1:12 Alligator Gar feat. 'Chaotic scene': Perry grandmother saves 3 family members from house fire, fire department saysHunters must apply for a special license to participate and are limited to one alligator. Gainesville Marina Rentals: Pontoon boats 770 536-2171. Alligators don’t live in Lake Lanier. The alligator gar is a snaggle-toothed fish longer than a park bench and heavier than a mountain lion. I have had some of these gar for over 4 years now. Lake Lanier Striper Video with a 28 and 18. The massive reptile was found in the. About Allegator Gar: It is a ray-finned euryhaline fish and is one of the largest of all freshwater fishes. In Georgia, one of the best places to pursue longnose gar is on Lake Lanier in Hall County. It is considered the largest alligator gar ever caught in Lake Corpus Christi. Okay, not really bacon, but you know what we mean. Instances of poaching also can be reported through the. Ironically, Ward was fishing for spotted bass when the record striper hit a plastic Zoom finesse worm. Prospect: Lake Lanier supports an abundant Spotted Bass population with plenty of fish over the 14 inch minimum size limit. Pack your bags! Katrina and Guy are headed down to Louisiana to talk gar with special guest Dr. Gifting. The fish, which is said to be an “Alligator Gar,” is known for its crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth and is native to North America. This park on the western bank of Lake Lanier is near the Buford Dam at the lake’s southern end. 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. Brent saw several 4- to 6-foot males circling and thrashing around a. Lake Lanier’s Striped Bass record is a massive 47 pounds. At the time, 1,100 Black people owned land and operated businesses in Forsyth County alone. Recently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel in West Tennessee at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. Fishing Boat Rentals. The remaining three were the result of an alligator mistaking the human for prey. Please don’t try this at home. On a Jekyll Island golf course in 1994, a golfer was bitten trying to retrieve a ball. Alligator Gar. Lake Lanier boasts over 38,000 acres of the best Striped and Spotted Bass fishing in the country. 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. There are three species of Gar that live in the Great Lakes. 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. Alligator gar reach an enormous 13 feet long and fatten to a plump 300 pounds. , 12-oz. 9, 1912, an 18-year-old white woman named Mae Crow was raped and. Brayden Garcia. 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. ) — Only one bass may be greater than 22 inches. Filled in 1942,…. Brown TroutThe name "alligator" comes from the Spanish "el lagarto," meaning lizard. In 2005 a man caught a Mekong catfish of 9 feet, weighing 646 pounds, taking the world record for the biggest catfish in. Kirk Kirland 's boat, the "Garship Enterprise. Individuals will scavenge for dead. Lake Marion. Senney took a 191-pounder with a bow and arrow. The largest recorded alligator gar ever caught weighed 327 pounds, per Field & Stream’s Steven Hill. That’s the same for fishing on Lake Lanier or your uncle’s secret pond. It is also stocked with rainbow trout. Prospect: Lake Lanier supports an abundant Spotted Bass population with plenty of fish over the 14 inch minimum size limit. The body is covered with hard, diamond-shaped scales. The best summer fishing spots for gar are the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush.