Alabama River Alligator Gar Over Population
Take a trip below the Millers Ferry Lock and Dam on the Alabama River on any early morning and you will see the results of the overpopulation of the Alligator Gar, although this problem is evident above the Millers Ferry Lock and Dam also. Here is a link to the Outdoor Alabama website on Alligator Gar https://www.outdooralabama.com/gar/alligator-gar
Some wildlife officials would agree the docile fish does not hurt the local game fishing. As a avid fisherman I disagree. Fishing the Alabama, Tombigbee, Black Warrior and the Coosa Rivers for over 40 years, I have found that when I fished an area where Gar fish are present, I did not catch one fish. My last trip Millers Ferry Dam on the Alabama River directly below the dam I would guess there were hundreds of Alligator Gar schooling around in the calm water.
Here in Alabama I am not aware of a Gar fish management program, other than a one Alligator Gar Per Day Per fisherman. I suggest we have Local Tournaments to help thin the population on the Alabama River. Also suggest the State of Alabama have a higher creel limit every other year to combat the overpopulation problem. Here is a link for the creel limits for Alligator Gar and other fish https://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater-fishing-creel-and-size-limits
I would hope the State of Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division would accept and acknowledge that this is a problem that needs attention now and not delayed anymore. I have more information about the Alabama River here www.comefishalabama.com or if you have any questions comefishalabama@gmail.com