American eel
Anguilla rostrata
American eels are born in the Sargasso Sea, then migrate to the Connecticut River and enter the freshwater system as tiny, transparent glass eels.
Overview
American eels (Anguilla rostrata) are a catadromous fish species, spending most of their life in freshwater, before traveling to the ocean as adults to reproduce and die. They are born in the Sargasso Sea, then migrate to the Connecticut River and enter the freshwater system as tiny, transparent glass eels. American eels will spend from 8 – 23 years feeding in the sediment and growing into silver-bronze adults before heading to the ocean to spawn. Spawning eels congregate in the weed-choked expanse of ocean south of Bermuda called the Sargasso Sea, where they mate along that sprawling sargassum algae mat in close proximity to their counterparts, European eels.
Each adult female produces upwards of 15 million eggs. It is presumed that all adults die after spawning beneath that thick algae mat. American eel populations are declining. Overfishing and dams have hurt these migrants. The species was considered for federal endangered species status in 2007, but was not listed. Eels can travel successfully for short distances on land, particularly during damp weather. Eelways have been constructed at some tributary dams to improve their migratory success.
Fish Facts
- Species type Catadromous
- Size 2-4 feet
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Conservation
Concerned
A species of concern is one for which there are some concerns regarding their status and threats. These species are plentiful enough that they are not listed as endangered but are considered threatened.
- Migration period August – November
- Where to see them StanChem, Rainbow, West Springfield, Holyoke, Easthampton, Vernon and Bellows Falls dams
River population trends
Fun fact!
Eels can survive out of water for several hours by breathing through their skin.
What do they look like?
The American eel has a greenish, yellowish brown or blackish body with a whitish belly. It has a continuous fin that stretches around its rounded tail from its back to its belly. Long and thin, females grow 3-5 feet in length while males only reach to 2 feet.
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Photo credit: Chesapeake Bay Program under CC BY-NC 2.0 license
Where and when can I see them?
Visit American eels from August to November at these dams:
Rainbow Dam
About the facility
Dams along the Farmington River have been using the rivers power to generate electricity since the early 1800s. The current fish ladder at the Rainbow Dam, which consists of a series of 59 interconnected pools, was constructed in 1976 to make it possible for anadromous fish to return upriver to spawn. A new fish passageway for Rainbow is currently in the design stage.
In 2023, CT DEEP did not operate the Rainbow Fish Ladder due its documented poor performance and the lack of suitable downstream fish passage protection measures at the Stanley Works owned dam/project. Fish passage at this project has been the responsibility of the CTDEEP, due to FERC legal rulings and timing of that facilities construction.
Who passes through this dam?
When do fish migrate?
Upstream
Downstream
How are they moving?
At the Rainbow Dam, fish move upstream using several methods. Many pass upstream by using the fish ladder. With stepped pools of flowing water, fish can hop up the ladder from the base of the barrier to the waters behind. At this site there is also an eel ladder. The eel wrap around the pegs as they move upward. Unlike the fish ladder, the eel ladder does not span the height of the dam. The eel drop into a bucket after traversing the ladder and are deposited above the dam by fishway staff. To move downstream, fish at this site either go over the dam spillway or through a bypass around the dam.
Where and when can I see them?
The fish ladder at Rainbow Dam is open to the public during the migration season on open house days. The outdoor portion of the ladder is open year-round, but the indoor viewing station is only open during open houses. The fish ladder is located at the following address:
Rainbow Dam
Windsor, CT 06095
Holyoke Dam
About the facility
The Holyoke Dam is a granite dam that spans the Connecticut River between Holyoke and South Hadley and diverts water from the river into the Holyoke Canal System and Holyoke Gas & Electric’s (HG&E) Hadley Falls Facility. The dam that you see today was constructed between 1895 and 1900. The Hadley Falls Facility is located on the Holyoke side of the Holyoke Dam and contains two hydroelectric generating wheels with a total installed capacity of approximately 33 megawatts. Hadley Falls also houses a fish lift to help fish traveling upstream pass over the dam, and is open to the public for Fishway viewing and tours during the public viewing season.
Who passes through this dam?
When do fish migrate?
Upstream
Downstream
How are they moving?
At the Holyoke Dam, fish move upstream primarily using a fish elevator. With this elevator, fish swim into a collection area at the base of the dam. When enough fish enter the collection area, they are moved into a hopper that carries them toa flume that empties above the dam. At the Holyoke Dam, two elevators lift 500 fish at a time up the 52 foot dam. At this site there is also an eel ladder. The eel wrap around the pegs as they move upward. Unlike the fish ladder, the eel ladder does not span the height of the dam. The eel drop into a bucket after traversing the ladder and are deposited above the dam by fishway staff. To move downstream, fish at this site either go over the dam spillway or through a bypass around the dam.
Where and when can I see them?
The Robert Barret Fishway at the Holyoke Dam is open to the public during the migration season, but visitors must reach out via their online form to request a tour. The fish ladder is located at the following address:
Robert Barrett Fishway
1-3 County Bridge
Holyoke, MA 01040
Tel: (413) 536-9460
Email the Fishway
Vernon Dam
About the facility
The Vernon Dam was built in 1909, and its primary use is to generate hydropower by harnessing the power of the river. The fish ladder at the Vernon Dam became operational in 1981 and provided upstream access for migratory fish. The dam is owned and operated by Great River Hydro. The fish ladder at Vernon Dam is to the left of the powerhouse.
Who passes through this dam?
When do fish migrate?
Upstream
Downstream
How are they moving?
At the Vernon Dam, fish move upstream by using the fish ladder. With stepped pools of flowing water, fish can hop up the ladder from the base of the barrier to the waters behind. At this site there is also an eel ladder. The eel wrap around the pegs as they move upward. Unlike the fish ladder, the eel ladder does not span the height of the dam. The eel drop into a bucket after traversing the ladder and are deposited above the dam by fishway staff. To move downstream, fish at this site either go over the dam spillway or through a bypass pipe around the dam.
When and where can I see them?
The outside viewing platform at the Vernon Dam fish ladder is open to the public during migratory fish season. There is no indoor viewing open to the public. Local organizations and companies sometimes run tours at the fishway. The fish ladder is located at the following address:
Vernon Dam
110 Governor Hunt Rd
Vernon, VT 05354
StanChem Dam
About the facility
The StanChem fish ladder was built in 2013 to allow fish to swim upstream around the dam that was built in 1900. The passageway opened the upper 15 miles of the Mattabesset River to native migratory fish populations. The fishway, built in partnership with property owner Stanchem Corp and several nature advocacy non-profits, is on Stanchem property in the East Berlin section of Berlin. The fish ladder operation is monitored by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), which issues weekly fish count reports during the fish run season.
Who passes through this dam?
When do fish migrate?
Upstream
Downstream
How are they moving?
At the StanChem Dam, fish move upstream by using the fish ladder. With stepped pools of flowing water, fish can hop up the ladder from the base of the barrier to the waters behind. To move downstream, fish at this site go over the dam spillway.
Where and when can I see them?
The StanChem Dam fish ladder is not open to the public. The fish ladder is located at the following address:
StanChem Dam
401 Berlin St
Berlin, CT 06023
West Springfield Dam
About the facility
Prior to the construction of the fishway in 1951, the West Springfield dam (formerly known as DSI dam) was the first barrier on the Westfield River that migratory fish would face and couldn’t pass. The fishway was built as a result of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing process and first opened in 1996. In 2001, an eelway was constructed at the fishway, allowing the American eel to migrate upstream of the dam as well. Passage of fish at the West Springfield Dam opened approximately 20 additional miles of habitat in the mainstem Westfield and much more in the tributaries. The MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is responsible for monitoring the fishway.
Who passes through this dam?
When do fish migrate?
Upstream
Downstream
How are they moving?
At the West Springfield Dam, fish move upstream using several methods. Many pass upstream by using the fish ladder. With stepped pools of flowing water, fish can hop up the ladder from the base of the barrier to the waters behind. At this site there is also an eel ladder. The eel wrap around the pegs as they move upward. Unlike the fish ladder, the eel ladder does not span the height of the dam. The eel drop into a bucket after traversing the ladder and are deposited above the dam by fishway staff. To move downstream, fish at this site go over the dam spillway.
Where and when can I see them?
The fish ladder at the West Springfield Dam (formerly known as DSI dam) is not open to the public during the migration season apart from a once-a-year open house. The fish ladder is located at the following address:
Westfield River Reservoir
Agawam, MA 01030
Easthampton Dam
About the facility
Built in 2014, the fish ladder in Easthampton has performed well in attracting migratory species that had been absent from the Manhan River after dams reduced their ranges. The fish ladder operation is monitored by US Fish and Wildlife, which issues weekly fish count reports during the fish run season.
Who passes through this dam?
When do fish migrate?
Upstream
Downstream
How are they moving?
At the Easthampton Dam, fish move upstream by using the fish ladder. With stepped pools of flowing water, fish can hop up the ladder from the base of the barrier to the waters behind. To move downstream, fish at this site go over the dam spillway.
Where and when can I see them?
Public access to the fish ladder remains limited on a drop-in basis, though according to the city, the facility is readily accessible upon request. The fish ladder is located at the following address:
Easthampton Dam
39 Northampton St
Easthampton, MA 01027
Bellows Falls Dam
About the facility
In the 1920s, the present concrete dam and hydroelectric powerhouse were constructed in Bellows Falls, VT. The fish ladder was completed in 1982 in an effort to reintroduce migratory fish species to the reaches of the upper Connecticut River and its tributaries. The dam is owned and operated by Great River Hydro. Just above the powerhouse is a visitor’s center with information about fish migration and local history.
Who passes through this dam?
When do fish migrate?
Upstream
Downstream
How are they moving?
At the Bellows Falls Dam, fish move upstream by using the fish ladder. With stepped pools of flowing water, fish can hop up the stepped pools from the base of the barrier to the waters behind.
To move downstream, fish at this site either go over the dam spillway or through a bypass around the dam.
Where and when can I see them?
The fishway at the Bellows Falls Dam is open to the public during migratory fish season. Bellows Falls Dam has a visitors center with information about fish migration and a viewing window and platform. To contact via phone, call the direct line to the center during the open season on open days from 10:00AM – 4:00PM at 802-460-4664.
17 Bridge St
Bellows Falls, VT 05101