Removal of Longnose Gar from Rivers and Streams with the Use of Dynamite

During the summer and fall of 1957, experiments with dynamite were conducted to determine an effective method of removing concentrations of longnose gar, Lepisosteus osseus, from the large coastal streams of North Carolina. A “suspended series” of charges was the most effective method tested. Charge of 3 sticks of dynamite, suspended at depth of 8 to 10 feet produced the best lethal range. Selective blasting with this method provided efficent removal of longnose gar. During one day's operation, over 3% tons of gar were removed while killing 8.3 pounds of game fish.