It's No Fluke, New State Record For Longnose Gar Set |On The Water

NEW YORK — Every fisherman has a story about "the one that got away," but one New York fisherman can now just point to the record books to point to his prowess.

The New York State Department of Environmental conservation has announced that the first state record fish of 2024 has officially been established. Chuck Zimmerman of Hilton recently smashed the 2018 state record by over a pound when he caught a massive longnose gar on Butterfield Lake in Jefferson County while fishing with friends during an annual weeklong trip.

The specimen measured over 53 inches and weighed in at 15 pounds 14 ounces.

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"Along with sturgeon, longnose gar are considered living dinosaurs so we're fortunate to have them still swimming in our waters today," the NYSDEC said announcing the record-setting catch. "Their long, needle-like snout is filled with rows of teeth, making them tough to mistake with any other fish species. Longnose gar are commonly found in shallow weedy areas and are often found swimming near the water’s surface. Their distribution is primarily in the St. Lawrence River, Niagara River, Lake Champlain, eastern Lake Ontario, and the larger tributaries to these waters."

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