American Eel
Anguilla rostrata
Also called Yellow eel, Silver eel.
How to tell it
A true eel — one continuous fin running from mid-back around the tail; lower jaw juts past the upper.
- Not a conger eel? That one gray, with the upper jaw overhanging instead. (Conger Eel)
- Not a atlantic cutlassfish? That one ribbon-flat and fanged, no tail fin at all. (Atlantic Cutlassfish)
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 9" minimum | 25 per angler | Open year-roundCT DEEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| Delaware | 9 in min | 25 per day | Open year-roundDE DNREC 2026 · checked | Open |
| Florida (Atlantic) | 9 in TL min | 25 per day | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | 9 in TL min | 25 per day | Open year-roundFWC 2026 · likely · checked | Open |
| Georgia | 9 in total length | 25 per person per day | Open year-roundGA DNR CRD 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maine | 9" min | 25 per day | Open year-roundME DMR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Maryland | 9 in min | 25 | Jan 1-Aug 31 (hook and line); year-round for spears/trapsMD DNR 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Massachusetts | 9" min | 25 fish (50 on for-hire vessels) | Open year-roundMA DMF 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Hampshire | 9 in TL min | 25 fish/day | Open year-roundNH F&G 2026 · checked | Open |
| New Jersey | 9 in min | 25 | Open year-roundNJ DEP 2026 · checked | Open |
| New York | 9" | 25 (50 on party/charter) | Open year-roundNY DEC 2026 · checked | Open |
| North Carolina | 9 in total length | 25 per day | Jan 1 – Aug 31NC DMF 2026 · checked | Closed |
| Rhode Island | 9" min | 25/person/day (50/vessel on licensed party/charter) | Open year-roundRI DEM 2026 · checked | Open |
| South Carolina | 9 in minimum | 25/day | Open year-roundSC DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
| Virginia | 9 in min | 25 per person | Open year-roundVMRC 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
State records
| State | Weight | When, where | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 5 lb 3 oz | 2017 · West Haven | CT DEEP Saltwater State Record Fish (Harvested) · checked 2026-08-23 |
| New Jersey | 9 lb 13 oz | 1988 · Atlantic City | NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04 |
On the table
Rich — excellent smoked.
In the app
Point the camera at a american eel and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about american eel
What is the size limit for american eel?
It depends on the state. Connecticut: 9" minimum; Delaware: 9 in min; Florida (Atlantic): 9 in TL min; Florida (Gulf): 9 in TL min; Georgia: 9 in total length; Maine: 9" min; Maryland: 9 in min; Massachusetts: 9" min; and more in the table above.
How many american eel can you keep?
Connecticut: 25 per angler; Delaware: 25 per day; Florida (Atlantic): 25 per day; Florida (Gulf): 25 per day; Georgia: 25 per person per day; Maine: 25 per day; Maryland: 25; Massachusetts: 25 fish (50 on for-hire vessels); and more in the table above.
When is american eel season?
Maryland: Jan 1-Aug 31 (hook and line); year-round for spears/traps; North Carolina: Jan 1 – Aug 31.
How do you tell american eel from conger eel?
American Eel has this: A true eel — one continuous fin running from mid-back around the tail; lower jaw juts past the upper.. Conger Eel gray, with the upper jaw overhanging instead.
What is the record american eel?
9 lb 13 oz in New Jersey (1988), Atlantic City. Other states’ records are in the table.