Conger Eel
New Zealand has two conger species — the Southern Conger (Conger verreauxi) and the Northern Conger (C. wilsoni). Both are marine eels found along rocky reef coastlines.
Recreational anglers encounter them mostly at night from wharves, breakwaters, and rocky shore, where they turn up as a surprise catch on bottom rigs. They're kept for the table — the white, firm flesh is less oily than freshwater eel.
Scientific Name: Conger verreauxi
Also known as Southern Conger, conger
- Grey to black body, occasionally blue-black, paler on the belly — sometimes mottled. Smooth, scaleless skin with dorsal, tail, and anal fins running almost the full body length.
- Large eyes and a wide mouth distinguish congers from freshwater eels at a glance. The dorsal fin origin sits above the pectoral fin tip on the Southern Conger — slightly behind it on the Northern Conger.
- Average catches run 100–120 cm and 3–5 kg. Maximum recorded length is 2 m, though fish over 1.5 m are uncommon from shore.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Strictly marine — found along rocky reef coastlines and broken reef structure, not in freshwater. Depth range is typically 0–100 m, with some fish taken as deep as 230 m over offshore reefs such as North Reef, Otago.
- The Southern Conger (C. verreauxi) occurs around both New Zealand and southern Australia. The Northern Conger (C. wilsoni) is endemic to New Zealand.
- Distributed around both the North and South Islands wherever suitable rocky reef habitat exists — wharves, breakwaters, and headlands all hold fish.
Key Locations
- Shag Point, Otago — a sighting of a 2.5 m fish was reported here; rocky headland habitat typical of South Island conger grounds.
- North Reef, Otago — congers have been taken at depths to 230 m over this offshore reef.
- Auckland wharves — recreational anglers encounter congers from public wharves around the Hauraki Gulf coast.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reef crevices and caves are core daytime refuges — congers wedge themselves in tight and don't move much until dark.
- Wharf piles and breakwater rubble concentrate fish close to shore; the structure provides cover and funnels baitfish and crustaceans past waiting eels.
- Deeper reef edges and drop-offs hold larger fish, particularly where broken bottom transitions to sand — a natural feeding lane after dark.
Conger Eel FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Conger Eel?
Fresh cut fish bait, kahawai, mackerel, or pilchard, is the go-to. Fresh is significantly better than frozen; congers locate food by scent in low-light conditions. Squid is an effective alternative, either whole small squid or large squid strips. It stays on the hook well and releases scent steadily on the bottom.
How do you catch Conger Eel?
Most recreational fishing for conger in New Zealand happens from shore, wharves, breakwaters, and rocky headlands, after dark, using fresh cut bait on a bottom rig. Boat anglers targeting reef structure also encounter them, particularly over deeper broken ground.
What do Conger Eel eat?
Feeds at night on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods (squid and octopus). Fresh cut fish, kahawai, mackerel, or squid, presented on the bottom is the standard bait choice because it matches what congers are already hunting.
Where do Conger Eel live?
Strictly marine, found along rocky reef coastlines and broken reef structure, not in freshwater. Depth range is typically 0–100 m, with some fish taken as deep as 230 m over offshore reefs such as North Reef, Otago. The Southern Conger (C. verreauxi) occurs around both New Zealand and southern Australia.
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