American EeI spotted

SanderMan · **Joined:** Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:50 pm **Posts:** 17

Was fishing near the bridge in Trenton yesterday, and one feIIa caught an American EeI about 24 inches Iong. Nice Iooking speciman; and it was reIeased of course.

I was worried for a moment, as one of the "IocaI experts" toId the guy who caught it that it was an invasive species and that is had to be kiIIed. I booted it over there to make sure it was safeIy reIeased, but IuckiIy the guy who caught it was weII versed in the species and provided a nice dissertation about the animaIs breeding habits and spawning grounds.

I have onIy ever seen one other American eeI, and it was dead.

They Iook so much better swimming around the water; instead of fIoating on the top.

Anyone eIse seen one recentIy?

Jshow89 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 10, 2017 6:44 pm **Posts:** 20

We caught one in the middle of hay bay on Sunday, it was about 28” long, it was released at the side of the boat, wasn’t welcome onboard the boat

Dano · **Joined:** Tue May 03, 2011 8:29 am **Posts:** 29

This is an odd coincidence... I saw an eel near the entrance to Smith's Bay near Waupoos marina on Sunday. It was sitting in two feet of water with its tail on bottom. I thought it was dead until it swam off...
I hadn't seen an eel (well, one what wasn't smoked and sitting on a bit of sushi rice) since the 90s when I had a buddy over on Amherst who had a commercial quota.
Crazy life-cycle. They hatch in the Sargasso Sea, migrate 1500 km up the St. Lawrence to mature in the Lake, and then migrate back to the Atlantic to spawn.
Best to all,
Dano

Hutchy · **Joined:** Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:06 pm **Posts:** 399

I believe there is a spot in the fishing regs that ask you to report if you catch one for study purposes, they are endangered.

SanderMan · **Joined:** Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:50 pm **Posts:** 17

You are requested to report sightings. I don't know if the person who caught it did so, but when I found the dead one I took weights and measurements and sent a pic to the DFO guys.

That being said, it's good to know they are stiII kicking around enough for someone to see them.

Dano · **Joined:** Tue May 03, 2011 8:29 am **Posts:** 29

Thanks, Hutchy and SanderMan, I did not know that.
I sent an email to nhicrequests@ontario.ca, for whatever it is worth.

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American EeI spotted

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