AUSTIN, Texas -

The online public comment period is 04:00 p.m. December 8, 2008, through 05:00 p.m. January 14, 2009.

Texas has one of the few remaining trophy alligator gar fisheries in the world. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking anglers to comment on some proposed harvest regulations to protect this valuable and vulnerable fishery.

Anglers from around the world travel to Texas for the opportunity to fish for a trophy alligator gar. Alligator gar fishing has gained popularity in recent decades as anglers have discovered the enjoyment of pursuing this unique species. Once considered a "trash fish," research has shown that the alligator gar have minimal effects on sport fish populations; they are now a sought-after species in their own right.

The alligator gar’s historic range includes the Mississippi River system and coastal rivers from Florida through Texas to northern Mexico. However, populations are declining in many of these areas because of habitat loss and over-harvest.

Alligator gar are extremely long-lived fish. They grow slowly, take many years to become mature, and spawn irregularly. To maintain populations with trophy-sized individuals, harvest must be sustainable. TPWD considered several regulation options to limit harvest. Important criteria were that the regulation would protect trophy alligator gar populations, and would be inclusive of all angler types.

The potential regulation proposals listed below emphasize protection of adult fish, while allowing some limited harvest of trophy fish. These potential regulations were presented in a briefing to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission’s Regulations Committee on November 5. The department will be gathering public input on the potential proposals during the next two months.

On January 21, 2009, department staff will present to the TPW commission a recommendation for changing harvest regulations for alligator gar. If the commission acts upon the recommendation, the proposed regulation on alligator gar and all other fishing and hunting regulations proposals will go out for public comment including a series of public hearings held around the state in February 2009. A final decision on all regulation proposals will be made by the commission at its March 26, 2009, public meeting.

The following links provide additional information regarding alligator gar in Texas and these possible regulations:

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