Fish Active at night

American Eel

Anguilla rostrata

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A mysterious traveler of both salt and fresh water, the American Eel is a master of camouflage and one of nature's most resilient migrators.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 1.5 to 3 feet (45–90 cm) in length, though large females can reach up to 4 feet (122 cm) and weigh over 8 lbs (3.6 kg).

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Colors

Variable based on life stage; adults are usually olive-green or dark brown on the back, fading to a yellowish-gold or white belly. Migrating 'silver eels' develop a metallic sheen and dark back.

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Key Features

Snake-like body with a single continuous fin along the back and tail
Small pectoral fins located just behind the gill openings
Thick coating of protective mucus (slime)
Absence of pelvic fins

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 9 PM - 3 AM

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Season Year-round, with peak visibility during spring and fall migrations

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Diet Opportunistic carnivores that use a powerful sense of smell to forage. They eat aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish, worms, and mollusks. Younger eels primarily consume larvae and small invertebrates.

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Habitat Highly adaptable, found in freshwater rivers, lakes, ponds, and brackish estuaries with access to the ocean.

Behavior

The American Eel is a fascinating catadromous species, meaning it lives most of its life in freshwater or estuarine environments but migrates thousands of miles to the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean to spawn. They are primarily nocturnal, spending their daylight hours hiding under submerged logs, inside crevices, or buried in muddy river bottoms. During the night, they emerge to hunt, using their keen sense of smell to navigate dark or murky waters.

These eels are remarkably hardy and can survive out of water for short periods by absorbing oxygen through their skin, provided they remain moist. This allows them to occasionally crawl over wet grass or dams to reach upstream habitats. While they are solitary hunters, they are often found in high densities in healthy river systems. Their interactions with humans are mostly limited to recreational fishing or accidental sightings near docks and dams.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the American Eel requires an underwater camera setup, such as a GoPro or a specialized trail camera with a waterproof housing. Position your camera in slow-moving water near structure like submerged logs, large rocks, or undercut banks where eels prefer to hide. A downward-facing angle from a fixed dock or a weighted tripod placed on a sandy riverbed works best to capture their serpentine movement.

Since American Eels are strictly nocturnal, your camera must have high-quality Infrared (IR) night vision capabilities. Standard white light flashes can startle fish and result in overexposed footage due to their reflective mucus layer. To increase your chances of a sighting, place a perforated container of 'stinky' bait—such as canned sardines, crushed clams, or oily fish scraps—directly in the camera's field of view. The scent will draw them out of hiding and keep them in frame as they investigate the source.

Pay close attention to water clarity and seasonal changes. The best footage is often captured during the late summer or fall when water levels may be lower and clearer. In the spring, watch for 'elvers' (juvenile eels) migrating upstream in large numbers near the edges of banks. Ensure your camera is securely tethered, as river currents or curious larger wildlife can easily displace lightweight equipment.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with American Eel.

Sea Lamprey

Lacks a jaw and pectoral fins; possesses a distinctive circular sucking mouth.

Conger Eel

Strictly marine (never enters freshwater) and grows much larger, with a longer snout.

Burbot

A freshwater fish with a more traditional body shape and a single barbel on its chin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

American Eels are strictly nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the middle of the night. They usually emerge from their hiding spots shortly after sunset and return before dawn.

If your backyard borders a stream or river, you can attract them by placing a mesh bag of oily bait like sardines or fish guts in the water near an underwater camera. Their incredibly sharp sense of smell will lead them to the bait.

They are opportunistic carnivores. Their diet includes a variety of aquatic life such as small fish, crayfish, shrimp, snails, and aquatic insect larvae.

Yes, they are surprisingly common in suburban creeks and ponds, provided those water bodies eventually connect to the Atlantic Ocean, which they require for their life cycle.

Look at the fins and mouth. American Eels have pectoral fins behind their heads and a traditional jaw with teeth, whereas Sea Lampreys lack pectoral fins and have a circular, tooth-filled suction cup for a mouth.

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