Otherwise known as the Common Eel or Freshwater Eel, they range in size of up to 6 feet for females and up to 2 feet for males. Color is olive-green to brown on the back, with yellow-green on the sides and gray-white below. Adults leave freshwater for the ocean to spawn, changing color to black above and silver below. Their offspring are known as elvers.
American Eel Landings 1964-2016
Data is missing for some years. Recent data is preliminary and subject to revision.
| YEAR | METRIC TONS |
POUNDS | VALUE | PRICE/LB |
| 1964 | 10.38 | 22,884 | $5,019 | $0.22 |
| 1965 | 23.63 | 52,100 | $11,462 | $0.22 |
| 1966 | 22.09 | 48,700 | $9,740 | $0.20 |
| 1967 | 22.07 | 48,647 | $9,439 | $0.19 |
| 1968 | 29.72 | 65,520 | $14,248 | $0.22 |
| 1969 | 17.2 | 37,926 | $7,964 | $0.21 |
| 1970 | 17.06 | 37,600 | $8,688 | $0.23 |
| 1971 | 24.63 | 54,300 | $15,204 | $0.28 |
| 1972 | 31.85 | 70,210 | $24,578 | $0.35 |
| 1973 | 36.24 | 79,890 | $29,555 | $0.37 |
| 1974 | 36.07 | 79,524 | $32,318 | $0.41 |
| 1975 | 70.23 | 154,836 | $82,380 | $0.53 |
| 1976 | 86.65 | 191,025 | $93,665 | $0.49 |
| 1977 | 79.7 | 175,711 | $262,596 | $1.49 |
| 1978 | 60.5 | 133,388 | $161,892 | $1.21 |
| 1979 | 50.44 | 111,206 | $89,214 | $0.80 |
| 1980 | 47.84 | 105,463 | $111,061 | $1.05 |
| 1981 | 25 | 55,125 | $45,308 | $0.82 |
| 1982 | 20.43 | 45,051 | $36,637 | $0.81 |
| 1983 | 5.4 | 11,900 | $8,925 | $0.75 |
| 1984 | ||||
| 1985 | 10.93 | 24,100 | $18,228 | $0.76 |
| 1986 | 7.58 | 16,703 | $13,219 | $0.79 |
| 1987 | 6.03 | 13,288 | $13,700 | $1.03 |
| 1988 | ||||
| 1989 | 12.66 | 27,900 | $29,247 | $1.05 |
| 1990 | 30.01 | 66,164 | $86,320 | $1.30 |
| 1991 | 8.26 | 18,217 | $27,331 | $1.50 |
| 1992 | 13.91 | 30,672 | $55,823 | $1.82 |
| 1993 | 6.59 | 14,521 | $28,022 | $1.93 |
| 1994 | 29.09 | 64,135 | $85,473 | $1.33 |
| 1995 | 16.19 | 35,697 | $70,006 | $1.96 |
| 1996 | 21.65 | 47,720 | ||
| 1997 | 13.61 | 30,008 | ||
| 1998 | 9.38 | 20,671 | $46,511 | $2.25 |
| 1999 | 16.37 | 36,087 | ||
| 2000 | 6.51 | 14,349 | $16,974 | $1.18 |
| 2001 | 6.57 | 14,482 | $29,238 | $2.02 |
| 2002 | 5.96 | 13,133 | $30,859 | $2.35 |
| 2003 | 6.95 | 15,312 | $41,042 | $2.68 |
| 2004 | 15.8 | 34,841 | $77,568 | $2.23 |
| 2005 | 7.8 | 17,189 | $47,463 | $2.76 |
| 2006 | 8.45 | 18,619 | $54,740 | $2.94 |
| 2007 | 5.95 | 13,120 | $46,577 | $3.55 |
| 2008 | 5.67 | 12,496 | $41,862 | $3.35 |
| 2009 | 1.15 | 2,525 | $7,575 | $3.00 |
| 2010 | 1.38 | 3,038 | $9,113 | $3.00 |
| 2011 | 1.84 | 4,065 | $13008 | $3.20 |
| 2012 | 5.11 | 11,275 | $36,078 | $3.20 |
| 2013 | 3.03 | 6,691 | $21,410 | $3.20 |
| 2014 | 3.44 | 7,578 | $24,251 | $3.20 |
| 2015 | 1.88 | 4,142 | $13,254 | $3.20 |
| 2016 | 1.64 | 3,623 | $11,592 | $3.20 |
Source: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/commercialfishing/documents/eel.table_000.pdf (accessed January 25, 2018)