Freshwater · Saltwater Fish of Connecticut
American Eel
Anguilla rostrata
🏆 Connecticut State Record
American Eel Freshwater
American Eel Saltwater
Harvest5 lb 3 oz · 39.5"Alyssa Zuppe · 2017 · West Haven
Catch & Release—
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Also called: Eel, Freshwater Eel, Glass Eel, Elver
Identification
Long, snake-shaped body with an olive-brown back, pale belly, small pectoral fins, and continuous dorsal, tail, and anal fins.
Habitat
Rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters.
Behavior
A nocturnal predator that shelters under cover. Grows in continental waters before migrating to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.
How to Catch
Often encountered on bottom-fished natural bait. Check current eel-specific rules before targeting or keeping one.
Notes
Catadromous: spends adulthood in fresh and brackish water, then returns to the ocean to spawn. Elvers are heavily regulated.