Gar in the Mississippi!!

[ringo99]

-I'm not suggesting that was what was found here, it probably wasn't

 

[E_americanus]

As far as the gator, yes purely anecdotal, not a regular, but definitely not beyond the realm of possibility.

anything is possible, but it's definitely on the far reaches of possibility as it is outside their known range. and we've come to dismiss the majority of anecdotal evidence these days. i know you're not suggesting it for this particular case as far as i can tell, but what i am referring to is that the anecdotal evidence is inaccurate. if a gator were ever found that far north it was likely a captive release.

as stated in earlier posts, pics would help. check some of the gar photo references and you should be able to figure out the ID.--
--solomon

 

[swede]

I'm no expert, but if they have found bull sharks in fully fresh water that lead to the ocean, I wouldn't be surprised if you found any of the gar species that are down at the delta region of the miss. and further up north along the river. Its possible, not probable, but who knows, maybe it could be a gator gar?

 

[E_americanus]

I'm no expert, but if they have found bull sharks in fully fresh water that lead to the ocean, I wouldn't be surprised if you found any of the gar species that are down at the delta region of the miss. and further up north along the river. Its possible, not probable, but who knows, maybe it could be a gator gar?

there are still a lot of biogeographical factors that contribute to distribution outside of mere connections with a body of water (in your example the ocean). the fish caught was not a native gator gar, and there are no documented cases of gator gars up that far north. anything is possible, but unless we go with what is probable given available evidence, these discussions will just tend towards ridiculousness. who knows, it's all connected via water...could be an arapaima? beluga sturgeon?

 

[ringo99]

could be an arapaima?

My 2nd guess as it turns out

Or possibly a sawshark?

 

[Gator]

tonssss of gars live in the mississippi..it could be a florida,spotted,alligator etc. if you could get pictures that would help tonss

Florida gar....

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

 

[Thow428]

I better get my fishing pole =]

 

[JAF]

I've been told of people catching gator gars in the Ohio river, though all I've seen is longnose, maybe a few shortnose.

 

[Noto]

If fishermen in WV are like the ones around here, every gar is an "alligator gar" to them, just like very turtle is a snapping turtle (except common snappers, which are upgraded to "alligator turtle").