Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources News Release
Survey to gauge public opinion on restoration of alligator gar in western Kentucky
Frankfort, Ky. The fisheries division of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources invites the public to take a confidential, online survey to provide their opinions on the restoration of alligator gar in western Kentucky.
They were once native to Kentucky, but are no longer here, said Ryan Oster, federal aid coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. The focus is solely directed at stocking the alligator gar in its original habitat in the sloughs of the Mississippi River and lower Ohio.
In southern states, alligator gar may grow to nearly 10 feet and weigh 300 pounds. They are highly sought by anglers wanting to catch one of the biggest freshwater fishes in the United States.
This species of gar hasnt been documented in Kentucky for nearly 50 years. Federal funds will pay for half of the restoration costs.
The survey is located on Kentucky Fish and Wildlifes homepage at fw.ky.gov. On the right side of the page, click on the photo of an alligator gar with the statement We Need Your Help! Take the Alligator Gar Survey. It takes less than five minutes to answer the questions.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife plans to stock sloughs and oxbows on department-owned property in western Kentucky. Many of these waters no longer offer good fishing for bass, crappie and catfish because they have been taken over by Asian carp.
The alligator gar would also be a predator on those Asian carp, said Gerry Buynak, assistant director of fisheries for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
The survey will be online for approximately two weeks.
