Which gar species has the widest distribution?

The longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is recognized as having the widest distribution among the gar species, being found extensively throughout the rivers and lakes of the eastern and north-central United States.12

Gars belong to the infraclass Holostei, a group of fishes characterized by their long, dart-shaped bodies and thick, diamond-shaped ganoid scales. While other species like the spotted gar are also widely distributed across the eastern half of the U.S., the longnose gar is specifically noted for its extensive range and its distinctively long, forcepslike beak.3214