Indiana alligator gar
Facebook / Jake Jackson

For the First Time Ever, an Indiana Alligator Gar Has Been Caught

Now that one Indiana alligator gar has been caught, are there others? 

Rumors have been flying over the past several years about alligator gar in Indiana. However, until recently, no Indiana alligator gar has ever been officially confirmed. Well, since these photos emerged and spread through social media like wildfire, that's all about to change.

Jake Jackson was bow fishing with his father when he stuck an arrow into the 64.25 inch, 68 pound monster. According to Jackson's Facebook page, he fought the fish for well over an hour before landing it.

"The Indiana DNR and fishery biologist said this is the farthest recorded Alligator Gar this far upstream," Jackson wrote on his Facebook page. "The last recorded one was in Kentucky."

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It would make sense for a population of Indiana alligator gar to start taking off.  For just one reason why, the exploding Asian carp population is out of control. Alligator gar naturally eat asian carp and where there are food, there are predators.

As of now, Indiana does not recognize a population of alligator gar. However, if more fish start turning up, expect an update from the Indiana DNR rather soon.

NEXT: A NON-PROFIT MIGHT SOLVE THE ASIAN CARP EPIDEMIC—BY TURNING THEM INTO PET FOOD