Ice and Gar

Question
I have spotted gar throughout the summer on a lake in Otter Tail Cty, MN.  I have heard stories of people seeing them in their ice houses in the winter.  
   I don't know if it is legal to spear them but what would you suggest in angling for them - what bait?  In what part of a lake are they most apt to be.  Shallow, bays?  Would appreciate any information -  They are a powerful looking fish.  I see them on the surface in the summer.

Answer
Wayne,

The Gar Anglers' site at www.garfishing.com has gobs of info about fishing for gar in the warm weather months.  Though it has been done, catching a gar in winter is exceedingly rare.  Gar like it hot; when it gets cold, they slow down and don't need as much food.  So if you are asking how to catch them now in winter, I say, experiment and let us know how it's done.

ReGARds,

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