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Eel (Anquilla anquilla)
Specimen weight: 1.4 kg (3 lb).
Record weight: 6lb 15oz Lough Droumensia, Bantry, Cork. 1979.
The freshwater eel is present in all watercourses in Ireland but most anglers actually catch them as a bye catch while fishing for other coarse fish species. The eel remains in freshwater for up to 40 years and then prepares for migration back to the spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea. Anglers fishing for them usually fish at night on big rivers or lakes when they are more active and take a worm or other bait more readily. A small deadbait can be excellent for the bigger specimens. Specimen weight: 1.361 kg (3 lb). Record Weight: 6 lbs. 15 oz. (3.147 Kilos) Lough Droumenisa, Bantry, Co. Cork in 1979.
Best times to fish: July to October are the best months but eels can be caught all year round subject to regulations.
Conservation of Eel Fishing (Annual Close Season) Byelaw No 297, 2008
This Bye-law prohibits the taking or fishing for brown eel under 30cm in length. The Bye-law also provides for a close season for brown eel, from 1 September to 31 May of the following year. The Bye-law also provides for a close season for silver eel from 1 January to 30 September in any year.