American Eel in Michigan
Where American eel swim in Michigan, with the rules.
- No possession limitlimit
- 7.44 lbrecord
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Michigan American eel, briefly
In great lakes and inland, anglers meet American eel (Anguilla rostrata), which the MDNR classes as other species. On statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered the 2026 digest lists No possession limit and a season of open all year.
In 1990, the hook and line record of 7.44 lb came out of Lake St. Clair.
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| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered) | No possession limit | Open all year |
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (Michigan DNR; rules run April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). Retrieved October 22, 2026.
American eel on the state record table
| Category | Weight | Length | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hook and line | 7.44 lb | 43 in | Lake St. Clair | Macomb | 1990 |
MDNR State Record Fish table, retrieved October 22, 2026; the table prints the year only and no angler names.
Species listed alongside American eel
- Black Bullheadother species
- Brown Bullheadother species
- Yellow Bullheadother species
- Common Carpother species
- Freshwater Drumother species
- Bowfinother species
- Longnose Garother species
- White Perchother species
- Bigmouth Buffaloother species
- Black Buffaloother species
- Quillbackother species
- White Suckerother species
Lakes and streams near American Eel, pictured
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
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Photo: starscream1211, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tim Kiser, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Hgjudd, CC BY-SA 3.0
What anglers ask about American eel here
Can Michigan anglers keep American eel?
No possession limit on statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered; season open all year. Other waters carry their own rows.
When was the Michigan American eel record set?
7.44 lb from Lake St. Clair, Macomb County, in 1990 (hook and line).
Which Michigan water is a good bet for American eel?
No page names it as present.
How many American eel did the MDNR plant?
None recorded from 2024 to October 2026.
What Latin name goes with American eel?
Anguilla rostrata; other species in great lakes and inland.
When is American eel season open in Michigan?
Open all year on statewide (species not listed, not trout or salmon, not threatened or endangered.
Is a trout stamp needed for American eel in Michigan?
Anglers 17 and older carry a Michigan all-species fishing license: $26 a year for residents, $76 for nonresidents, $11 for seniors or $10 for one day.
Who guides for American eel in Michigan?
No listing names it; the guides page has every captain.
Chase American eel this season
Every lake listed above has its own page with launches and the limits.