Eel Project

The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is a migratory fish that is born in the Atlantic Ocean and enters North American estuaries, including the Hudson River, as tiny, see-through “glass eels” each spring. Once they arrive, they gain pigment and become part of the ecosystem for years to come. The species is in decline over much of its range, and baseline studies of populations, like the Hudson River Eel Project, are crucial for management decisions. 

Each spring, teams of scientists, students, and volunteers collect glass eels using specialized nets and traps on Hudson River streams. The juvenile fish are then counted and released upstream, and other environmental data is recorded. At the end of each season the data is compiled and sent along to decision-makers.

​

Rensselaer County Soil & Water participates in the annual Hudson River Estuary Eel Project, collecting samples for the survey in three tributaries of the Hudson River. Along with the survey the district uses the opportunity to educate the community on the American Eel and their life cycle.