Anglers looking to land a trophy fish in Arkansas can apply for a 2026 Alligator Gar Trophy Tag through the end of December.
Alligator gar, a prehistoric-looking species that dates back to the Cretaceous Period, can grow more than 7 feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. They are the second-largest freshwater fish in North America, behind only the white sturgeon. The state record, a 215-pound catch from the Arkansas River in 1964, far exceeds the next-largest recorded catch, a 128-pound paddlefish from Beaver Lake in 2024.
The species matures slowly, with females not reproducing until age 14, and their populations have been affected by habitat loss and past misconceptions about their impact on other game species…