Top Alligator Gar Fishing Countries

The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is one of the largest freshwater fish in North America, recognized by its torpedo-shaped body, broad snout, and double row of sharp teeth. Native to the lower Mississippi River Valley, Gulf Coast states, and parts of northern Mexico, this ancient species thrives in slow-moving rivers, lakes, and bayous. The United States, particularly Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, is the primary country where alligator gar are both sport-fished and, to a lesser extent, commercially harvested. In Mexico, especially in the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, alligator gar (locally known as "pejelagarto") are also caught for local consumption and traditional dishes. While alligator gar fishing is not a major global industry, it is regionally significant for recreational anglers due to the fish’s impressive size and fighting ability, and for local communities where the species is part of the culinary heritage. Conservation measures and regulations are increasingly important in both countries to ensure sustainable populations, as overfishing and habitat loss have threatened the species in some areas.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.