Short-finned Eel
Short-finned eels are a native species found across south-eastern Australia's coastal rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
They've fed Aboriginal communities for thousands of years — the stone-walled trap systems at Darlots Creek in Victoria stand as evidence of that — and today they're a legitimate target for anglers who fish after dark with simple gear.
Tough, strong, and surprisingly good eating when prepared well.
Scientific Name: Anguilla australis
Also known as Shortfin eel, Southern shortfin eel, Silver eel, Yellow eel, River eel, Freshwater eel
- Olive-green to golden-brown on the back and sides, with a whitish or silvery-white belly; no spots or blotches — that's the key difference from the long-finned eel.
- The mouth ends below the eye, not behind it — a reliable ID point when you have both species in hand.
- Dorsal and anal fins are roughly equal in length and joined to the tail fin; the dorsal starts level with or just ahead of the anal fin.
- Most fish run under 700 mm and 400 g; larger individuals reach around 1.1 m and 3 kg, with females growing considerably bigger than males.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to coastal rivers, lakes, dams, and swamps of south-eastern Australia — from southern Queensland down through NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
- Covers the full Victorian coastline, while the long-finned eel is restricted to east of Wilsons Promontory; in the Murray–Darling system, short-fins reach as far inland as the Murray River in SA.
- Prefers slow-moving or still water — lakes, billabongs, lowland rivers, and wetlands — rather than the fast, rocky runs where trout dominate.
- Catadromous: spends its adult life in freshwater but migrates to the Coral Sea (between Fiji and Samoa) to spawn, then dies.
Key Locations
- Victorian coastal lakes and rivers — Lake Wellington, Lake Victoria, and the Gippsland Lakes system hold strong populations.
- Murray–Darling Basin rivers in Victoria and South Australia, where short-fins reach the western edge of their freshwater range.
- Tasmanian lowland rivers and lakes, where the species is considered sustainably managed under commercial and recreational frameworks.
- Coastal NSW rivers and estuaries from the Queensland border south — lowland sections with slow flow and soft substrate are most productive.
Specific Spots
- Undercut banks and submerged timber hold eels during the day — they're sheltering from light, so the darker and more tangled the structure, the better.
- Weed edges and muddy-bottomed bays in lakes concentrate eels at night when they move out to feed across open shallows.
- Drain mouths, culverts, and the tails of pools in lowland rivers are productive — eels use these as travel corridors and feeding stations.
- In estuaries, rock walls and jetty pylons with nearby soft bottom give eels both cover and access to crabs and small fish.
Short-finned Eel FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Short-finned Eel?
Earthworms are the go-to bait across all waters, a bunch of worms on a hook fished on the bottom after dark will out-fish almost anything else. Cut fish (mullet, redfin, or whatever's available) works well, especially for larger eels; the scent trail in still or slow water draws fish from a distance.
When is the best time to fish for Short-finned Eel?
Autumn and early winter (March–June) can produce good fishing as adult eels begin their downstream migration toward the sea, fish become more active and concentrated in lower river reaches.
How do you catch Short-finned Eel?
Most anglers target short-finned eels at night from the bank, fishing baited bottom rigs in slow-moving rivers, lake margins, or drains. Simple gear and patience are the main requirements, set the rod in a holder, wait for a solid run, and be ready for a prolonged, twisting fight once a fish is hooked.
What do Short-finned Eel eat?
Eels eat worms, freshwater shrimp, small fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates, earthworms and cut fish are the two baits that consistently produce, and they're what most Australian eel anglers reach for first.
Where do Short-finned Eel live?
Native to coastal rivers, lakes, dams, and swamps of south-eastern Australia, from southern Queensland down through NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
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