Trinity River Alligator Gar Harvest Lottery Opens September First

If you're someone who enjoys fishing for alligator gar, you'll be interested to know that on September 1, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be opening its annual Alligator Gar Harvest Authorization drawing application process. This random drawing authorizes anglers to harvest one alligator gar over 48 inches from a section of the Trinity River. The applications will be accepted through September 30 from anglers holding a valid license-year or ear-from-purchase fishing license. Applicants can through the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app or online. Winners will be notified on October 15.

Where Can Winning Anglers Fish For Gar?

If you're fortunate enough to be drawn, you can use any legal means or method to take qualifying alligator gar day or night from a section of the Trinity River, from the Interstate 30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County. This section includes Lake Livingston and the East Fork of the Trinity River, upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard. This includes the following counties: Anderson, Chambers, Dallas, Ellis, Freestone, Henderson, Houston, Kaufman, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Navarro, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker. All alligator gar harvested, including those using a harvest authorization, from public freshwater and saltwater waterbodies (other than Falcon International Reservoir), must be reported on the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app or online within 24 hours of harvest.

Other Trinity River alligator gar regulations remain in effect, including a 48-inch maximum length limit from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including Lake Livingston and the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard. Additionally, a ban on the take or possession of an alligator gar by means of lawful archery equipment or crossbow is in effect on the same section of the Trinity River between one half-hour after sunset and one half-hour before sunrise (unless using a harvest authorization through the drawing system).