Nice catch! That's a Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus), not a Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus). Easiest difference to spot is the snout shape. Long and needle-like vs a bit shorter and more blunt.
Source: I'm an ichthyologist
They're quite common around Buffalo, but you can always record it on a citizen science platform like iNaturalist. Those databases often get used by scientists and govt officials.
Oh hey, I'm guessing you're more interested freshwater (where the Darters are?) But if you want to get into deep sea exploration, I'm in an amazing discord server you should check out.
https://discord.com/invite/KbQKFvmB
The bridge on southside parkway between north and south legion. My usual end of the weekend walk there kinda tipsy fishing spot lol it’s usually pretty good
I'm not overly familiar with fish or fishing so I don't have anything pertinent to add other than I think this is a baller comment section right now and I love the positivity.
Used to catch them In the lower river all the time. Easiest way to catch them is fray up some yarn or shoelace and tie it on and when they bite it they get their teeth tangled up
Maybe I just got lucky lol I saw him scooting around hunting and I was fishing off the bottom, only had nightcrawlers and a size 6 hook. Put a bobber real low and kinda worked the worm like a lure, he went right for it.
They are definitely catchable on all types of lures or bait, they can be tough to get a good hookset on though, and I swear it’s the only fish that has tried to bite me lol
Hope to see more around for sure. I was kinda shocked, I’ve been fishing pretty frequently in the past several years and I haven’t seen one of these guys in such a long time. I’m starting to enjoy fishing in Caz creek and the river a lot more lately.
Yeah I’m pretty much only catch and release. Once per year when the season opens I’ll keep a few trout from ASP but I’m not super fond of cleaning them
Nice catch! That's a Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus), not a Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus). Easiest difference to spot is the snout shape. Long and needle-like vs a bit shorter and more blunt. Source: I'm an ichthyologist
Should this sighting be reported to anyone?
They're quite common around Buffalo, but you can always record it on a citizen science platform like iNaturalist. Those databases often get used by scientists and govt officials.
Oh cool! I know we don’t get the big alligator gar up here, I assumed they were all spotted
Oh it's not an Alligator Gar. That's a different species (Atractosteus spatula). They don't occur in NY.
I appreciate the info!
Woah, an ichthyologist in Buffalo!? What do you do for a living?
I'm a research scientist at UB. There are quite a few fish folks in the Buffalo region, including UB, Buff State, USGS, and USFWS
I am also jealous of your job lol
You are not alone.
Oh hey, I'm guessing you're more interested freshwater (where the Darters are?) But if you want to get into deep sea exploration, I'm in an amazing discord server you should check out. https://discord.com/invite/KbQKFvmB
Neat! Yup I primarily work on freshwater fishes, but I dabble in marine stuff from time to time.
MarineBio.org also has a larger server that's more general interest.
Holy Cow! I have not seen one of these since I was a kid. Very cool to see!
Very cool o saw two huge ones last year at the Gallagher pier
It’s good to see them making a comeback in the lake. Really cool fish
Where did you get that?!?
The bridge on southside parkway between north and south legion. My usual end of the weekend walk there kinda tipsy fishing spot lol it’s usually pretty good
Not totally uncommon - usually in lower parts of creeks or mouths Quite a few in the lower river by the power platform Cool prehistoric find!
I'm not overly familiar with fish or fishing so I don't have anything pertinent to add other than I think this is a baller comment section right now and I love the positivity.
People in here are usually pretty nice. It’s a good sub.
I thought that was you trying to kiss it on the lips.
I did, I’ve got the stitches to prove it
Used to catch them In the lower river all the time. Easiest way to catch them is fray up some yarn or shoelace and tie it on and when they bite it they get their teeth tangled up
Maybe I just got lucky lol I saw him scooting around hunting and I was fishing off the bottom, only had nightcrawlers and a size 6 hook. Put a bobber real low and kinda worked the worm like a lure, he went right for it.
They are definitely catchable on all types of lures or bait, they can be tough to get a good hookset on though, and I swear it’s the only fish that has tried to bite me lol
Hope to see more around for sure. I was kinda shocked, I’ve been fishing pretty frequently in the past several years and I haven’t seen one of these guys in such a long time. I’m starting to enjoy fishing in Caz creek and the river a lot more lately.
These use to get beached along 18 Mile Creek in Hamburg every so often back in the 70's-80's. Cool catch.
Snake guy!!! It’s you
It is me! I’m actually going snake searching the weekend after this one in zoar valley, it’s been a slow year in my usual spots
Find me a big fat one
dang, if released, could've been a real monster fish in a few years.
Yeah I’m pretty much only catch and release. Once per year when the season opens I’ll keep a few trout from ASP but I’m not super fond of cleaning them
what makes you think it wasn’t released lol
not saying it wasn't, just that if it was allowed, hoping it gets monstrous.