Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Current record: 11lb 2oz
Water: Kingfisher Lake, Ringwood
The eel is a fascinating and unique fish species that belongs to the order Anguilliformes, encompassing various members such as freshwater eels and marine eels. The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) are two well-known examples. Eels are characterized by their elongated, snake-like bodies and lack of pelvic fins. Their remarkable life cycle involves both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the eel's life cycle is its catadromous behavior, meaning it migrates from freshwater to the ocean to spawn. Eels spawn in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, and the larvae, known as leptocephali, drift with ocean currents for several months before transforming into glass eels. These glass eels then migrate back into freshwater environments, where they grow into yellow eels, adapting to various habitats from rivers to lakes.
Eels are known for their adaptability and resilience. They can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions and are often found in diverse aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, estuaries, and the open ocean. Eels are opportunistic feeders, consuming a varied diet that includes small fish, invertebrates, and organic debris.
The harvesting and consumption of eels have cultural and culinary significance in various regions around the world. Eel dishes are particularly popular in Asian cuisine, where they are considered a delicacy. However, concerns have been raised about the sustainability of eel fisheries, especially with the decline in eel populations due to habitat degradation, overfishing, and obstacles in migration pathways.
Conservation efforts for eels focus on mitigating the impact of human activities on their habitats, such as the construction of dams and other barriers that hinder their migration. Sustainable fishing practices, regulations on eel harvesting, and habitat restoration projects are essential components of eel conservation. Given the migratory nature of eels and their significance in ecosystems and human cultures, concerted global efforts are necessary to ensure the survival and sustainable management of eel populations.
Eels are only bottom feeders and can survive on almost anything that comes from an animal, whether it is living or dead. Therefore, while eel fishing, baits like worms, groups of maggots, or little dead baits work particularly well.
Eels will eat the majority of live baits that fisherman frequently employ, including worms and maggots. Larger eels will eat whole or dissected coarse and marine fish as dead bait.