The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is one of the most remarkable fish in British freshwater – and one of the most mysterious. It breeds somewhere in the Sargasso Sea, 5,000 miles from Europe, larvae drift across the Atlantic on ocean currents for up to three years, and the resulting juvenile eels (elvers) colonise rivers, canals, lakes, and even isolated ponds across the British Isles, where they can remain for 15 to 20 years in the wild before making the return journey to the ocean to spawn and die (or in captivity for upto eighty years!)
Despite this extraordinary life history, eels have declined catastrophically across Europe since the 1980s – by over 90% in biomass in some estimates. The European eel is now classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, one step from Extinction. This changes the context for eel fishing in the UK significantly: while eels can still be legally targeted, they are a species under serious conservation pressure, and current guidance strongly favours catch and release.
Identification
Eels are immediately recognisable by their elongated, snake-like body shape. No other common UK freshwater fish looks remotely similar.
Body: Long and cylindrical, tapering to a pointed tail. Unlike a snake, eels have a continuous dorsal-anal fin that runs from about one-third of the way along the back, around the tail, and back along the underside to just behind the anus. This gives the whole rear two-thirds of the body a finned outline.
Coloration: Varies significantly with age and habitat. In their growth phase (“yellow eels”), the belly is yellow to cream, the back and sides olive-green to brown, and the skin has a characteristic dull, slightly mucus-covered sheen. In the migratory phase (“silver eels”), the belly turns silver-white, the back darkens, and the eyes enlarge – these fish are physiologically preparing for the ocean migration. Silver eels in autumn are the fish most often caught in nets.
Scales: Very small scales embedded in the skin, covered in mucus. Eels feel slippery to the touch.
Pectoral fins: Small, rounded pectoral fins immediately behind the head on each side.
No pelvic fins: Unlike most fish, eels have no pelvic fins.
Size: Most UK eels encountered by anglers weigh 1-4lb. Fish over 4lb (1.8kg) are notable; fish over 6lb are genuine specimens.
Distribution
European eels are present throughout the British Isles wherever water access allows:
- Rivers, canals, lakes, and ponds throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland
- Coastal lagoons, estuaries, and lower tidal reaches
- Isolated ponds with no apparent water connection – eels are capable of short overland migrations across wet grass at night to reach isolated water bodies
Eel populations have declined severely but fish remain present in most catchments. Dense populations of large eels now tend to be found in waters that are difficult to access for migratory silver eel trapping (certain reservoir systems and isolated lakes) or in waters with long-term protection from commercial netting.
Habitat
Eels are highly adaptable and occupy virtually every available freshwater habitat:
Rivers: Eels hide under stones, in root systems, and in bank burrows in the daytime. On rivers they are primarily nocturnal feeders.
Stillwaters: In lakes and ponds, eels live in bottom silt, among weed beds, and under any available cover. Large stillwater eels can be particularly large and old.
Drains and dykes: Flat fenland drains (particularly in East Anglia, the Somerset Levels, and similar areas) hold large eel populations. The slow, dark, silt-bottomed drains provide excellent habitat.
Canals: The canal network throughout England holds eels throughout its length, including through cities. Canal eels feeding on crayfish, fish, and bottom invertebrates can grow large.
Seasonal Behaviour
Eels are primarily warm-water active: they feed heavily through summer and autumn and are much less active in winter.
Spring (March to May): Eels become active again as water temperatures rise above 10°C. Feeding begins in April and increases through May.
Summer (June to August): Prime eel fishing season. Eels feed actively at night throughout summer, moving out from cover to hunt in low-light conditions. On warm summer nights, eels can feed at the surface and in shallow water.
Autumn (September to October): Eels feed heavily in autumn before some begin the migratory process. Silver eels (migratory fish) begin running downstream in September and October, particularly on dark, wet nights.
Winter (November to March): Eels become torpid in cold water, burying themselves in mud and reducing feeding dramatically. Catching eels in winter is very difficult.
Life Cycle
The eel’s life cycle is one of the most complex in the fish world and still contains significant scientific uncertainties:
- Spawning: Occurs somewhere in the Sargasso Sea (exact spawning grounds unconfirmed). Adult eels make the journey west and spawn once, then die.
- Larval stage: Flat, transparent leaf-shaped larvae (leptocephali) drift on the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current for up to three years.
- Glass eels: As they approach European coasts, larvae metamorphose into transparent “glass eels” approximately 7-8cm long. These begin entering estuaries in spring.
- Elvers: Glass eels pigment and become “elvers” (small eels, 6-9cm) as they move upstream.
- Yellow eel phase: Eels grow in freshwater for 10-80 years (females grow for much longer than males). During this phase they are called yellow eels.
- Silver eel phase: Mature eels physiologically prepare for migration – belly turns silver, eyes enlarge, digestive system degrades. These are outmigrating silver eels.
- Migration: Silver eels run downstream, enter the sea, and swim westward across the Atlantic, navigating by a mechanism not fully understood, to spawn in the Sargasso.
Size and British Record
The British record European eel stands at 11lb 2oz (5.05kg), caught by Steve Terry in Kingfisher Lake, Ringwood, in 1978. This record has stood for over four decades and reflects how exceptional large UK eels have become.
Most UK eels encountered by anglers weigh 1-3lb. A 4lb eel is a good fish; a 5lb eel is a specimen; anything above 6lb is exceptional and increasingly rare.
Female eels grow considerably larger than males. Most large UK eels are females that have spent many years in freshwater.
Regulations
Eels are covered by:
The Eel (England and Wales) Regulations 2009: These regulations implement EU requirements on eel management. They include restrictions on commercial eel netting and requirements on fisheries to manage eel passage.
Catch and release is strongly encouraged: The Environment Agency and angling organisations actively encourage catch and release of all eels caught on rod and line. Given the species’ Critically Endangered status, killing eels for food is now widely viewed as incompatible with conservation, even though it is not explicitly prohibited for recreational anglers in all circumstances.
No close season: There is no statutory close season for eels. However, the practical fishing window is April to October as eels are inactive in cold water.
Rod licence: A standard Environment Agency rod licence is required to fish for eels in England and Wales.
Baits and Methods
Night Fishing
Eels are almost exclusively nocturnal feeders. The most productive eel fishing occurs from after dark to the early hours. Dawn sessions can also produce eels still active from the night.
Baits
Lobworm: The standard eel bait. A large lob on a size 4-6 hook, presented on the bottom. Multiple lobworms bunched together (two or three on a size 2 hook) give a larger scent profile and resist small fish longer.
Deadbait sections: Small sections of fish (tail end of a small roach, piece of bleak, section of sprat) are highly attractive to eels and resist small fish better than worm. Use a size 4-6 hook directly through the bait section, no hair rig needed.
Prawn and shrimp: Peeled prawn is a very effective eel bait on still waters and canals. Less prone to small fish than worm.
Crayfish tail: On waters with signal crayfish populations, crayfish tails are an excellent natural bait for large eels.
Tackle
A simple running leger rig is standard for eel fishing:
- Mainline: 8-12lb mono
- Running lead: 0.5-1.5oz, on a swivel above a short link to allow line movement
- Hooklink: 30-45cm of 10-15lb mono
- Hook: size 2-6 single hook (circle hooks can reduce deep hooking but require different strike timing)
Keep the rig simple. Eels do not require specialist carp-style rigs.
Bite indication: A drop-back indicator (free-running line with the reel left in freespool) is standard. Eels often move toward the angler after picking up a bait, causing slack line. Set the bobbin to fall as well as rise.
Unhooking
Eels are difficult to unhook due to their writhing movement and mucus-covered skin. A cloth or unhooking glove grips the eel more effectively than bare hands. Long-nose forceps remove hooks from the mouth. If deeply hooked, cut the line close to the hook and return the fish – the hook will rust and dissolve, and attempting deep hook removal causes more damage.
Conservation
The European eel’s decline is one of the most significant fish conservation issues in the UK. Contributing factors include:
- Barriers to migration (weirs, dams, pumping stations) blocking juvenile eel access to inland habitats and adult eel escape to the sea
- Commercial eel fishing in estuaries and rivers
- Habitat degradation and reduced water quality
- The parasitic nematode Anguillicola crassus, introduced from Asia, that infects the swim bladder
- Climate change affecting larval dispersal
UK anglers can contribute positively by returning all eels caught and supporting fishery management that maintains eel passage. Several eel conservation programmes operate in England – most EA flood management schemes now require eel passes at weirs in recognized eel habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to fish for eels in the UK?
Fishing for eels on rod and line is legal in England and Wales with a valid rod licence. There is no rod and line catch limit for recreational anglers on eels, but catch and release is strongly encouraged given the species’ Critically Endangered status.
Can you eat eels caught in UK rivers?
Legally, eating eels caught by rod and line is not specifically prohibited, but the Environment Agency and angling conservation bodies strongly advise returning all eels. Eating a fish classified as Critically Endangered is inconsistent with conservation, and most responsible anglers return every eel.
How do you hold an eel without it slipping?
Wrap it in a damp cloth or use an unhooking glove for grip. Keeping the eel close to the ground (or mat) reduces risk if it writhes free. Never pick up a large eel by the tail alone.
When is the best time to fish for eels?
After dark in the warmest months – June, July, and August are the peak months. Prime sessions run from dusk until midnight. Eel activity drops off sharply once water temperatures fall below 10°C in autumn.
Why are eels so rare now?
European eel populations have declined by over 90% across Europe since the 1970s. Migration barriers, commercial fishing pressure, habitat degradation, a parasitic swim bladder worm, and possibly climate change effects on larval dispersal have all contributed. The exact cause of the decline is still not fully understood, which makes recovery difficult to plan with confidence.