Identification
The long body moves in an undulating motion. A continuous fin runs along the back, around the tail and underneath the body. A mucus coating makes the skin slippery.
Size and Weight
A published species summary reports 152 cm total length and a maximum weight of 7.3 kg, approximately five feet and 16.1 pounds. These are separate reported maxima. Regional accounts often describe much smaller eels, and females generally grow larger than males.
Habitat and Natural Food
Growing eels use freshwater and estuarine habitats; some remain in coastal waters. They feed on aquatic animals during this growing phase. Soft bottoms, cover and access through connected waterways are relevant to where they can live.
Fishing and River Access
An eel encountered on fishing tackle should first be identified correctly. This profile does not establish a universally best bait. Access barriers are a central conservation issue: dams can prevent young eels from reaching upstream habitat, and passage facilities can restore some access.
A Journey Back to the Sargasso Sea
American Eels reverse the familiar salmon pattern: their spawning destination is the ocean. Young stages move toward continental coasts, then occupy growing habitats before mature eels return offshore. Connected rivers and estuaries are therefore parts of a much larger life cycle.
All Lakes With American Eel
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed American Eel records in our database, listed alphabetically.
Showing 1–24 of 398 lakes · Page 1 of 17
- Albemarle Lake East Carroll, LA
- Alexander Lake Northeastern Connecticut, CT
- Ames Long Pond Norfolk, MA
- Amos Lake Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Amston Lake Capitol, CT
- Arcadia Lake Hampshire, MA
- Arrowhead Mountain Lake Franklin, VT
- Ashland Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Ashuelot Pond Sullivan, NH
- Aspetuck Reservoir Greater Bridgeport, CT
- Aspinook Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Avery Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- B A Steinhagen Lake Jasper, TX
- Babcock Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT
- Bagley Pond Hillsborough, NH
- Baker Pond Barnstable, MA
- Baldpate Pond Essex, MA
- Bashan Lake Lower Connecticut River Valley, CT
- Batterson Park Pond Capitol, CT
- Baxter Lake Strafford, NH
- Beach Pond Northeastern Connecticut, CT
- Beardsley Pond Northwest Hills, CT
- Beaver Brook Lagoon South Central Connecticut, CT
- Beaver Brook Pond Southeastern Connecticut, CT