Species guide
How to catch Japanese eel
Anguilla japonica
The Japanese eel is a long, slender fish that spends parts of its life in both freshwater and the sea. It breeds in the ocean, with young eels migrating upstream to grow in rivers and freshwater. It is known to move across land at night and has been farmed in rice paddies.
Where they live
Found in freshwater, brackish, and coastal saltwater environments across Asia and parts of the Pacific and Mediterranean. They inhabit depths from shallow waters around 1 meter to deep areas down to 400 meters.
Typical size
Up to about 150 cm
What they eat
- small fish
- insects
- crustaceans
Best baits
- worms
- small fish pieces
- shrimp
Best lures
- soft plastic worms
- jigs
- small crankbaits
How to fish for them
- bottom fishing
- night fishing
- bait fishing
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