lakes during their freshwater stage, as well as oceanic waters, coastal bays and estuaries. Individuals during the continental stage occasionally migrate between fresh, salt and brackish water habitats and have varying degrees of residence time in each. During winter, eels burrow under the mud and enter a state of torpor at temperatures below , although they may occasionally be active during this period.

American eels move from freshwater to estuaries and coastal bays to feed during spring, then either