Gar?

[waterpossum]

This has been a point of contention with me and a couple of friends. Are there gar in Stockton Lake??

[Dutch]

I don't remember ever seeing any like at TR or Pom.

[hedgehog]

Just had this conversation with Tim Banek a few months ago. Tim was the fisheries biologist for Stockton for many years, and has sampled Stockton for nearly 20 years, and he said there are NO GAR in the entire Stockton watershed. That is unique, and possibly the only watershed in Mo to not have gar. Let's keep it that way.

[straw hat]

I have fished the CC area since 1985 and have never caught a gar until 2 years ago. Since then we have caught 2 gar (I didn't take a close look but I beleive they were short-nose). I am not sure that there is a reproducing population in that area. They may have just been washed in by high water. Hedgehog, if you think Mr. Banek would be interested I would be glad to give him a call.Let me know.

[junkman]

Kind of hard to believe a large body of water like Stockton being free of gar. I know it cannot be said for Truman or LOZ. man have I seen some big ones in them.

[hedgehog]

Straw, that's a shame. Guess that means someone helped them into this watershed. Tim started working in Jeff City about 4 years ago. You can reach him at the MDC central office phone number. It's not a big deal, just more of a hmmm thing. If you have caught 2 in the last 2 years, then in 20 years they will be everywhere. That's too bad. Good things never last.

[waterpossum]

I have fished the CC area since 1985 and have never caught a gar until 2 years ago. Since then we have caught 2 gar (I didn't take a close look but I beleive they were short-nose). I am not sure that there is a reproducing population in that area. They may have just been washed in by high water. Hedgehog, if you think Mr. Banek would be interested I would be glad to give him a call.Let me know.

I have always contended there were no gar in Stockton. You are the first person and I hope the last to confirm a sighting. Maybe you cleaned em out straw. If so,you will have that legacy.lol

[straw hat]

I like catch and release but I must admit that they never made it back to the lake! lol

[waterpossum]

I like catch and release but I must admit that they never made it back to the lake! lol

Just think if no one reports anymore gar over the next decade or two people will be praising you as the person responsible. By the way how did they taste. lol

[straw hat]

Just think if no one reports anymore gar over the next decade or two people will be praising you as the person responsible. By the way how did they taste. lol

It never made it home either, I must have dropped him alomg the bank by mistake (NOT!!). lol