They are most common and usually weigh between one and three pounds. Adults returning to the sea to spawn are called silver eels and may weigh as much as twenty pounds. Anglers catch eels in both fresh and salt water, and connoisseurs disagree about which type is better. Observe caution, however, when deciding to eat eels from the fresh or estuarine waters in which they spend much of their adult lives. These areas may be contaminated by natural, industrial, or municipal wastes.
Some states advise anglers to limit their consumption of eels from contaminated waters.
If you are unsure that it's safe to eat the eels you catch, consult your local health department or fisheries management agency. The American eel is regarded highly as food throughout the world and is an important part of traditional holiday meals in many cultures. Although many anglers are reluctant to deal with them, learning how to handle eels is well worth the effort. Eels are considered a nuisance because they often tangle fishing lines with their fighting. They should be killed as soon as possible after they are landed although doing so is difficult because they continue to squirm and fight after they have been taken out of the water.