Freshwater

European eel

Anguila europea

Anguilla anguilla

FreshwaterBrackishSaltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 ft.

Depth

2–30 ft.

Best time

Night.

Found in

10 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A long, slimy, snake-like fish with tiny buried scales, a small pointed head, a lower jaw longer than the upper, and one long fin running around the back, tail and belly. Yellow-brown in rivers ('yellow eel'); silver with big eyes when migrating to sea ('silver eel').
Typical size: 1–3 ft.
Maximum size: About 4 ft and up to about 9 lb (big ones are females).
Diet: Worms, insect larvae, crayfish, snails and small fish.
Behavior: Born in the Sargasso Sea; the young drift to Europe, live for years in rivers and lakes, then swim back across the Atlantic to spawn once and die. Feeds mostly at night.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from United Kingdom & Ireland, France, Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), Italy & Malta, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Northern & Central Europe, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), Morocco & West Africa and Black Sea & Caspian. Rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries and coasts from Iceland and Norway to Morocco and the eastern Mediterranean.
Habitat: Rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries and coasts from Iceland and Norway to Morocco and the eastern Mediterranean.
Depth: 2–30 ft.
Fishing depth: On the bottom.
Best season: Summer nights, when it is most active.
Best time: Night.
Best tides: In estuaries, the rising tide.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, humid nights, especially before a storm.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Worms and small dead fish, where catch-and-release eel fishing is allowed.
Best artificial lures: Not used.
Tackle setup: Medium feeder or carp rod.
Hook size: Size 2–6 barbless hooks.
Line: 10–15 lb mono.
Leader: 15 lb braided hooklink.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Forceps Line cutter Hooks Mat

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries and coasts from Iceland and Norway to Morocco and the eastern Mediterranean.
Rig up: Medium feeder or carp rod. 15 lb braided hooklink.
Pick your bait: Worms and small dead fish, where catch-and-release eel fishing is allowed. Lures: Not used.
Fish it: If you hook an eel by accident, keep it wet, unhook it quickly with forceps (or cut the line close to the hook) and let it go.
Time it: Night. In estuaries, the rising tide.

Fishing techniques: If you hook an eel by accident, keep it wet, unhook it quickly with forceps (or cut the line close to the hook) and let it go.
BigJoe's tip: Eels tie the line in knots; a damp cloth helps you hold one gently while you unhook it.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Do not keep — protected.
Cooking suggestions: Do not keep: critically endangered and protected in most places.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Eel blood is toxic if it gets into cuts or eyes; wash your hands after handling.
Regulations: Critically Endangered (IUCN). Anglers must release eels in England, Wales, Ireland and Norway, and most EU countries ban or strictly limit keeping them, with national eel plans and closed seasons. International trade is controlled by CITES. Freshwater fishing in Europe always needs a permit: a national or regional license where one exists (for example the rod licence in England and Wales or the French carte de pêche) plus a permit or day ticket from the club, lake or river owner.
Conservation: Eel numbers have crashed by over 90% since the 1980s because of dams, overfishing of baby glass eels and pollution. Release every eel.

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Sources & photo credits