Fresh water eels in small creeks in VA?

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:38 am

While my friend and I were fishing, I saw a long (maybe 3 feet), wide (I'd say about 4 inches), black creature swimming in the small creek near my house. I've seen tons of snakes and fish in the water and none have ever been like this, so those two options are ruled out. Any idea what that could have been? I'm thinking it may have been a fresh water eel.

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:47 am

it could have been a really big leech

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 10:51 am

Can leeches get that big? I didn't think we had leeches around here.

finalfantasyxii · Post by **finalfantasyxii** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 11:00 am

Ummmm... EW!!!

Miko · Post by **Miko** » Mon Jul 15, 2013 12:10 pm

most creeks do have leeches, google it

Bustyfrog · Post by **Bustyfrog** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:45 am

I saw a fresh water eel in a little stream in Leeds Castle on monday. It is indeed possible.

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Thu Aug 15, 2013 12:28 pm

If there is a river that in some form or fashion feeds the stream sure its possible. I just seen my first fresh water eel this summer it was accidentally snagged below the dam. Look up some pics and see if it resembles what you saw.

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Sat Aug 17, 2013 1:08 am

After doing some research, I think it may have been a really big Hellbender, but I'm still not ruling out eel. Thanks everyone!

jenok · Post by **jenok** » Wed Aug 21, 2013 11:48 am

Now I gotta do some research, don't know what a hellbender is!

HermitCrabby_LHC · Post by **HermitCrabby_LHC** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 6:39 am

I dont think freshwater eels are black.... We have alot in our ponds and creeks (Chesapeake) and they are brown and the biggest one I have seen was probably 4 feet long and 4 inches wide. We catch them alot.I dont think it would be a hellbender because he would probably be very very thick

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Sun Aug 25, 2013 11:37 am

@Hermitcrabby,I looked up freshwater eels (there is only one species in the USA I think, the American Eel) and it said their colors range from brown to pitch black.I also didn't think hellbenders were that wide? I don't know though, I've only ever seen one and it was a small one.

HermitCrabby_LHC · Post by **HermitCrabby_LHC** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 12:11 am

From the pictures I can see they are very wide. I dont think I have ever seen one. Maybe in a petstore. I dont know. Ever since that eel I havent really fished. The eels we have here are light gree/brown to a dark brown. Which makes them even grosser than they are (I like them, the feeling of them, not so much lol)

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 12:24 am

Haha thanks for the info.

HermitCrabby_LHC · Post by **HermitCrabby_LHC** » Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:40 am

Anytime. Its nice to find people in Virginia. Crazy here. I have only found you, and a person on a guinea pig site

Nnnnnnnn · Post by **Nnnnnnnn** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:21 am

Haha yeah it is nice to see others from VA.