European eel in United Kingdom — catches, stats & how to catch

Description and behaviour

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a snake-like fish with a long cylindrical body, tiny scales buried in thick slimy skin, and a continuous fin running around the back, tail and belly. The back is dark olive to almost black and the belly is yellowish (the 'yellow eel') or, in a fish ready to migrate, silver (the 'silver eel'). Typical fish run 40–70 cm and 200–800 g, but old female eels in lakes and ponds reach a metre or more, and a specimen over 2 kg is a rarity.

The eel's life cycle is extraordinary: it spawns in the Sargasso Sea, and the larvae drift for years on the current to Europe, becoming glass-eel elvers that run up the rivers. The adult is a nocturnal bottom predator and scavenger of rivers, lakes, canals and ponds; by day it hides in holes, snags and silt, and after dark it comes out to feed, hunting by a keen sense of smell.

Spawning and seasons

The eel breeds only once, travelling thousands of miles to the Sargasso Sea and then dying; it does not spawn in fresh water. After years or even decades in a river or lake, the yellow eel turns silver and, on autumn nights and often in a flood, drops back downstream to the sea. In British waters eels are fished through the warmer months, from late spring into autumn, when they are active; in cold winter water they barely feed. Importantly, the European eel is strictly protected and its capture and removal are regulated by law — always check the rules first.

When it bites

The eel is a dusk-and-night hunter, so the best sport starts as darkness falls and lasts through much of a warm night. The peak is on warm, still or thundery nights of late spring and summer, especially after rain has lifted and coloured the water. In daylight eels take rarely, usually in coloured water or deep shaded spots. When planning a night session it is worth checking a bite forecast and choosing a warm, overcast night, when eels move more boldly to feed in the shallows.

Methods and tackle

Eels are almost always fished on the ledger, hard on the bottom, at night. The tackle must be strong: an eel is powerful and fights desperately, twisting into snags. Use a stout rod of 1.5 lb test curve or more, a 4000–5000 reel, 0.28–0.35 mm main line or braid and a strong size 2–6 hook on a short tough trace. A simple running ledger is all you need. Fit an electronic bite alarm and set the rod firmly on a rest, as an eel can drag an unsecured outfit in. Hit bites without delay so the fish does not swallow the hook deep.

Baits and lures

The best baits are a bunch of brandlings or lobworms and a piece or whole small deadbait — gudgeon, small roach, or a chunk of mackerel or sardine. An eel scents a sharp fishy smell from far off, so a bleeding fish bait is especially deadly. Bigger eels prefer a fish bait and smaller ones a worm. Groundbait is barely needed: a scented patch around the hookbait is enough. Use a short trace and don't let the eel gorge the bait, which makes for a cleaner, kinder release.

Playing and tips

The European eel is critically endangered and listed as a strictly protected species, so handle it with great care and return it. Play it without delay, keeping it out of snags. Unhooking a slippery, writhing eel is tricky: have a wet cloth ready to grip the fish, a long disgorger or forceps to hand, and if it is deep-hooked simply cut the trace at the mouth. Don't keep the fish out of the water. An Environment Agency rod licence is compulsory; check local rules, as taking eels is restricted or banned in many places.