Eel (Anquilla anquilla)

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

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.