American Eel in Georgia
Rules, records and where to find American eel in Georgia.
- 25; minimum size 9" limit
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A Georgia primer on American eel
The Georgia DNR fish lists carry American eel (Anguilla rostrata) as a nongame fish. The guide row for georgia saltwaters sets 25; minimum size 9" TL; season all year.
No record entry or water list mentions it in Georgia.
Georgia DNR field notes on American eel
Description. “Olive green to brown on the back. Head is small, mouth large, numerous small teeth. Body is long, slender, snake-like. Dorsal and anal fins are very long and connect to the tail. Lower jaw projects well beyond upper jaw. Common length is 2 to 3 feet.”
Habitat. “Rivers, lakes and streams with continuous flow in deep pools, around logs, boulders or other cover. Migrates in fall from fresh to saltwater to spawn.”
Range. “Middle and Lower Chattahoochee, Lower Flint, Ochlockonee, Suwannee, Satilla, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Ogeechee and Savannah River Basins.”
Food. “Crayfish, frogs, fish or insects.”
Tips. “In freshwater use fish, frogs, and crayfish, and in brackish water dead shrimp may be effective. Mostly caught by accident. Very slimy and hard to hold. Good bait to use for striped bass and several saltwater species.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
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| Applies to | Limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia saltwaters (state waters 0-3 nautical miles; seaward of the saltwater demarcation line) | 25; minimum size 9" TL | All year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
Georgia guides and captains for American eel
- Reel 'Em In Guide Servicefly fishing guide, Ellijay, (706) 273-0764
- Reel Angling Adventuresfishing guide, Suches, (770) 827-6657
Other Georgia species grouped with American eel
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Altamaha Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Redeye Bassfreshwater
- Shoal Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Spotted Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Striped Bassfreshwater and saltwater
Scenes from the water around American Eel
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mccunicano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Georgia American eel, asked and answered
Which Georgia rule governs keeping American eel?
25; minimum size 9" TL for georgia saltwaters; season all year.
Which year produced the Georgia record American eel?
Georgia keeps no record for it.
Where are American eel found in Georgia?
Middle and Lower Chattahoochee, Lower Flint, Ochlockonee, Suwannee, Satilla, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Ogeechee and Savannah River Basins.
Does Georgia stock American eel?
WRD posts per-water stocking only for trout.
What kind of fish is American eel under Georgia rules?
A nongame fish, Anguilla rostrata; freshwater and saltwater water.
Does Georgia close the season on American eel?
All year on georgia saltwaters.
Which permit do I need for American eel?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Does any Georgia charter run trips for American eel?
2 guide or captains on the list, among them Reel 'Em In Guide Service.
Go find some American eel
Each listed Georgia water opens a page with launches and limits.