Australian Longfin Eel
Australia's largest freshwater eel, the Longfin runs the entire eastern coast from Cape York to Tasmania.
Most anglers hook one by accident while bottom-fishing for something else, but a growing number target them deliberately — especially at night — for their size, strange fight, and surprisingly good eating.
Slow-growing and long-lived, they deserve careful handling.
Scientific Name: Anguilla reinhardtii
Also known as Speckled Longfin Eel, Marbled Eel, Spotted Eel, River Eel, Freshwater Eel
- Olive to brownish-green back and sides covered in darker blotches or spots — the mottled pattern is the quickest way to separate it from the plain, uniform-coloured Shortfin Eel.
- Dorsal fin starts well forward of the anal fin origin — run your eye along the back and you'll see the top fin begin noticeably closer to the head than the bottom fin.
- Broad, wide head with thick, fleshy lips and a large mouth; pectoral fins often have a yellowish tinge.
- Females commonly reach 1 m and several kilograms; males top out around 65 cm and 600 g. Exceptional females can exceed 2 m and 20 kg.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to eastern Australia — found continuously from Cape York in far north Queensland south through NSW and Victoria to Tasmania, plus Lord Howe Island.
- Lives in rivers, creeks, lakes, swamps, farm dams and lagoons east of the Great Dividing Range; shows a preference for flowing water over still water.
- Juveniles push as far upstream as possible, crossing wet grass and damp ground to reach isolated ponds and dams — almost any connected or semi-connected water can hold them.
- Adults tend to occupy the lower reaches and tidal sections of rivers until they're ready to migrate to sea to spawn.
Key Locations
- Coastal rivers of NSW — from the Tweed and Clarence in the north to the Shoalhaven and Clyde in the south — hold strong populations.
- Victorian coastal streams and the lower reaches of rivers draining the eastern ranges support both recreational and commercial catches.
- Northern and eastern Tasmania, particularly river systems with good connectivity to the sea for migrating fish.
- Farm dams and impoundments across the Queensland coast and NSW tablelands east of the Great Dividing Range, where landlocked fish can grow very large.
Specific Spots
- Undercut banks, submerged timber and rock ledges — Longfins rest in cover during daylight and move out to feed after dark.
- Deep holes and slow pools in rivers, especially where current drops off and organic debris accumulates on the bottom.
- Tidal reaches and estuarine edges where rivers meet salt water hold large, mature fish staging before their spawning migration.
- Farm dams and isolated ponds — even landlocked fish can grow very large with no fishing pressure; worth targeting in rural areas east of the Divide.
Australian Longfin Eel FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Australian Longfin Eel?
Worms (earthworms or blood worms) and cut fish are the most reliable baits, cheap, widely available, and effective across all sizes of water. Oily, scent-heavy baits like pilchard, mullet fillet, or chicken offal work well in rivers and tidal reaches where eels are hunting by smell in low light.
When is the best time to fish for Australian Longfin Eel?
Warmer months (spring through autumn, roughly October–April) see the most active feeding as water temperatures rise. Night fishing is productive year-round, but summer nights in particular can produce multiple fish in a session.
How do you catch Australian Longfin Eel?
Most anglers fish for Longfins at night from the bank, using a baitrunner reel set to free-spool with smelly natural bait on the bottom near structure or in deep holes. Tidal river sections and farm dams are both productive, with the key being patience, set the rod, wait for the line to run, then strike.
What do Australian Longfin Eel eat?
Primarily carnivorous, eats fish, shrimp, freshwater crayfish (yabbies), frogs, worms, and aquatic invertebrates. At night, almost any natural bait on the bottom will draw interest. Worms, cut fish, and whole small fish are the go-to choices.
Where do Australian Longfin Eel live?
Native to eastern Australia, found continuously from Cape York in far north Queensland south through NSW and Victoria to Tasmania, plus Lord Howe Island. Lives in rivers, creeks, lakes, swamps, farm dams and lagoons east of the Great Dividing Range; shows a preference for flowing water over still water.
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