The eel: a fish no one has ever seen spawn
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European eel
Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus)
Jegulja
Description
European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a fish of the Anguillidae family.
Habitat
Lives in European fresh waters. Mature individuals migrate to the Sargasso Sea to spawn, while young eels return to estuaries and rivers.
Diet
It feeds on fish eggs and fry, worms, snails, frog eggs, tadpoles and insects.
Regulations and Responsible Fishing
The listed closed-season status is: No closed season.
No reliable general minimum-size note is shown here, so local rules must be checked.
Always check local association or concession holder rules before fishing, because they may be stricter than this general overview.
🎣 Recommended Bait
- Lobworms
- Raw liver
- Fish strips
- Shrimp
📅 Best Seasons
Late spring, Summer, Autumn
🕐 Best Time of Day
Night, Dusk, Dawn
📍 Where to Fish
Slow rivers, canals, and lakes with muddy bottoms; near submerged logs.
How to catch: European eel
Use strong tackle as they have a powerful bite. Scent is key - score the bait to release juices. Note: in Croatia, strictly protected only for populations in Vransko Lake near Biograd na Moru (including the Prosika channel) and in the Krka River (upstream of Skradinski buk).