SPOTTED GAR

The spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) is a freshwater fish native to North America that has an abundance of dark spots on its head, fins, and dart-like body.  Spotted gar have an elongated mouth with many needle-like teeth to catch other fish and crustaceans. It is one of the smallest of the seven species of gar found in North America, growing 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) in length and weighing 4-6 lb (1.8–2.7 kg) typically. Gars have diamond-shaped, thick, enamel (ganoid) scales.

The northern range of Lepisosteus oculatus stretches throughout the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie drainages. It is also found in the Mississippi River drainages, and river drainages along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Nueces River in Texas east to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida.The northern range of Lepisosteus oculatus stretches throughout the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie drainages. It is also found in the Mississippi River drainages, and river drainages along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Nueces River in Texas east to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida.The northern range of Lepisosteus oculatus stretches throughout the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie drainages. It is also found in the Mississippi River drainages, and river drainages along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Nueces River in Texas east to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida.The northern range of Lepisosteus oculatus stretches throughout the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie drainages. It is also found in the Mississippi River drainages, and river drainages along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Nueces River in Texas east to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida.The northern range of Lepisosteus oculatus stretches throughout the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie drainages. It is also found in the Mississippi River drainages, and river drainages along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Nueces River in Texas east to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida.The northern range of Lepisosteus oculatus stretches throughout the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie drainages. It is also found in the Mississippi River drainages, and river drainages along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Nueces River in Texas east to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida.The northern range of Lepisosteus oculatus stretches throughout the Lake Michigan and Lake Erie drainages. It is also found in the Mississippi River drainages, and river drainages along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico from the Nueces River in Texas east to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida.