Coarse Fish
Eel Fishing: Complete UK Guide
The European eel is the most mysterious fish in British freshwater: a snake-bodied, nocturnal predator that begins life thousands of miles away in the Sargasso Sea before drifting to our shores as a tiny elver. Eels turn up almost everywhere, in rivers, canals, ponds, lakes and estuaries. They are also critically endangered, and in England and Wales it is illegal to kill or retain rod-caught eels (other than conger), so every eel must be returned alive. For the specialist, a big eel of 3lb-plus fished for after dark is a serious and rewarding quarry.
Quick Facts
Average Weight
1-3lb
UK Record
11lb 2oz, Steve Terry, Kingfisher Lake, 1978 (source: British Record Fish Committee list)
Best Season
June–September (release only in England & Wales)
Habitat
Rivers, canals, ponds, lakes and estuaries
Difficulty
Intermediate
Best Bait
Lobworms, small coarse-fish deadbaits, prawns
How to Catch Eel
A practical guide for weekend anglers: from choosing your method to landing your catch.
Step-by-Step
- 1
Fish warm, still nights in summer
Eels are nocturnal and most active in warm water from June to September. The hours after dark, especially humid, overcast nights, are prime.
- 2
Choose a simple, strong leger rig
A running leger with 15-25lb mainline, a size 4-8 wide gape hook and a short, strong hooklink is ideal. Eels fight hard and dive for snags.
- 3
Bait with worms or small deadbaits
A bunch of lobworms is the classic eel bait. Small roach or smelt deadbait sections tend to single out the bigger eels, and prawns also work.
- 4
Use an alarm and watch for runs
Eels often pick up a bait and move off. A bite alarm with a drop-off indicator and a slack or open bail helps register runs so you can strike early.
- 5
Unhook and release every eel alive
It is illegal to kill or retain rod-caught eels in England and Wales. Unhook over a wet mat, use forceps, cut the line if deep-hooked, and return the fish immediately.
Best Spots for Eel
Top UK venues and regions for this species.
Where to Fish
Eel Fishing Rules & Regulations
The statutory rules for eel fishing in the UK. Rules change, always confirm against the official source below before you fish.
Know the Rules
| Licence | Environment Agency rod licence required from age 13 (England & Wales); Scotland has no national rod licence but you still need the fishery's permission. |
|---|---|
| Close season | Rivers, streams and drains in England and Wales are closed 15 March to 15 June inclusive; most stillwaters and canals stay open, check your fishery. |
| Minimum size | No national figure, see the official regulations for your water. |
| Daily limit | No national figure, see the official regulations for your water. |
| Also note | It is illegal to kill or retain any rod-caught eel in England and Wales, every eel must be returned alive. |
Rules checked 19 August 2026 against Environment Agency, freshwater rod fishing rules (GOV.UK). Guide last reviewed 6 July 2026.
Eel Fishing Season
Month-by-month guide showing the best times to target this species. On rivers in England and Wales the statutory coarse close season runs 15 March to 15 June, ratings in that window apply to stillwaters and canals, which stay open on most fisheries.
When to Fish
Right now (Sep): Good for eel.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Rivers closed*
Apr
Rivers closed*
May
Rivers closed*
Jun
Rivers closed*
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
* Rivers closed 15 Mar–15 Jun (England & Wales); most stillwaters and canals stay open, check your fishery.
Where to catch eel in the UK
16 venues in our directory are confirmed to hold eel. Find eel fishing near you: top regions by venue count below, or open any venue page for details and pricing.
Wales
4 venuesSouth East England
3 venuesFrequently Asked Questions About Eel Fishing
GilledIt's directory lists 16 venues in the UK confirmed to hold eel. Use the venue finder to enter your postcode or share your location and you will get the closest waters ranked by distance, or browse the region lists on this page.
A bunch of lobworms is the classic eel bait. Small fish deadbait sections tend to sort out the bigger specimens, and prawns can also be effective.
No, not in England and Wales. The European eel is critically endangered, and it is illegal to kill or retain rod-caught eels (other than conger). Every eel must be returned alive.
11lb 2oz, caught by Steve Terry from Kingfisher Lake in 1978, a record that has stood for decades.
Warm summer nights from June to September are prime. Eels are nocturnal and feed hardest after dark in warm water.
European eel numbers have collapsed due to barriers to migration, habitat loss, changes in ocean conditions and historic overexploitation. Strict release rules are part of efforts to protect the remaining stock.
Lay the eel on a wet unhooking mat, hold it firmly with a damp cloth, and use long forceps to remove the hook. If deeply hooked, cut the line close to the mouth and release the fish at once.
Yes. An Environment Agency rod licence is required for freshwater fishing in England and Wales, and rod-caught eels must be returned alive.
Log your eel catches in GilledIt
Caught a eel? Log it in GilledIt, the free fishing app built for UK anglers. Track your personal bests, see where other anglers are catching eel, and compete on weekly leaderboards.
Keep your catches, locations and personal bests together.