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Eel (Anquilla anquilla)

Specimen weight: 1.4 kg (3 lb).
Record weight: 6lb 15oz Lough Droumensia, Bantry, Cork. 1979.

Freshwater eel – suspended from ISFC list of eligible species until 2012

In compliance with a new bye-law, the CONSERVATION OF EEL FISHING BYE-LAW NO. C.S. 303, 2009, eel has been suspended from the specimen list from 14th May 2009. Claims for specimen eels taken before 14th May 2009 will be accepted.

The new bye-law prohibits fishing for eel, or possessing or selling eel caught in the State. The commercial eel fishery has also been closed to conserve eel stocks in Ireland.

The angling bye-law will cease on 30 June 2012. For further information on the bye-law see the following link:

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Natural/Inland+Fisheries+Division/Bye-Laws+2009.htm

The River Lee produced this fine 1.7 kg eel for Dirk Mueller in August, 2002.

Features:
The long snake like appearance of the eel is its most distinguishing feature. It has small gills and pectoral fins, and a narrow dorsal fin.

Spawning:
Unlike all other coarse fish species the eel spawns at sea. The location of these spawning grounds are believed to be in the Sargasso Sea, although no adult eel has ever been located in this area. The newly hatched transparent larvae migrate across the Atlantic in less than one year eventually metamorphosing into small pigmented eels called "elvers". At this stage the eel migrates into freshwater usually between April-June. The eel remains in freshwater for 7-40 years and then prepares for migration back to the spawning grounds. Prior to its migration back to the Sargasso the coloration of the eel changes from golden to silvery hue.

Fecundity:
Adult female eels produce several million eggs.

Longevity (age):
Eels have been aged up to 40 years old.

Diet:
Eels feed mainly on invertebrates, crustaceans, small fish and insect larvae.

Best Angling Methods:
Float fishing and ledgering.

Best Baits:
Worms and maggots in general. Small deadbaits are deadly for big specimens.

Best Times to Fish •Good ••Very Good
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Oct
Nov
Dec
Eel
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Top 20 specimen eel from Irish waters
No
lbs
 ozs kg Location Date of
capture		 Angler Method
1
6
 15 3.147 Droumenisa Like, Bantry. 12-Jun-79 John Murnane Worms
2
6
 4 2.835 Lough Naback, Co. Cavan 04-Jul-82 David Grimes Maggots
3
5
 15 2.693 Knockalough, Co. Clare. 04-Sep-79 Philip Treytel (NL) Strip of Trout
4
5
 15 2.693 R. Shannon, Clondra 25-Sep-68 Edmund Hawksworth Lobworms
5
  2.608 Calloughs Lake, Northern Region 18-May-01 Des McIntyre Worms
6
5
 11.5 2.594 Lough Bawn, Northern Region 04-Oct-98 Master Ciaran Maxwell Worms
7
5
 11 2.580 River Barrow 11-Jul-85 Kevin Murphy Worms
8
5
 10 2.551 Aughrusbeg Lake, WRFB 21-Sep-78 J. J. Smits
 Worms
9
  2.500 Lough Derravaragh, Shannon Region 12-Aug-93 Greg Long Worm
10
5
 7 2.466 Ballylagan Lake, Northern Ireland 26-May-95 David Markey Nymph
11
  2.440 Lough Lene, Eastern Region 17-Jun-06 Michael Flanagan Worm
12
2.381 The Lough, Cork 09-May-01 John Healy Worm
13
5
 2 2.325 Aughrusbeg Lake, Western Region 04-Sep-78 J. J. Smits Worms
14
5
 2 2.325 White Lake, Eastern Region 05-Jun-88 Paddy
Carolan		 Worm
15
5
 2 2.325 White Lake, Eastern Region 19-Jun-88 Oliver Kelly Worm
16
5
 0 2.268 The Lough, Cork 12-Jul-76 Jim McGrath Dead Rudd
17
4
 15.5 2.254 Lake Gorteen, Shannon Region 26-Sep-99 Robin Brazier Dog Biscuit
18
4
 15 2.240 River Lee, Inniscarra Res. 25-Sep-98 Bill Collins Lobworm
19
4
 14 2.211 Stoneyford Res., Antrim. 29-Sep-77 John Huddleston Worms
20
4
 11 2.126 Dromtine Lake, Sneem, Co. Kerry 10-Jul-72 A. Koppendraaier Fish strip

 
More information
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  Eel
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  Roach Bream Hybrid
  Rudd
  Rudd Bream Hybrid
  Tench
 

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