An Eel Dam, near the river bridge at Danville Pa
Eel are no longer plentiful in our area. A variety of dams now prevent them from migrating. But that was not always the case - Eel were, once upon a time, plentiful, and profitable, in our river. Below I will include a variety of mentions & stories of the eel, through the decades, in our local papers. But first, let me share two resources that anyone interested in the subject should not miss.
First, check out Van Wagner's excellent video on the eel weir in Danville. His son has taken excellent drone photos, which show it even better than wading out into the river to see it.
Second, The Book Of Eels, by Patrik Svennson is an absolutely fascinating read about how much researchers have never been able to learn about eels. If you have Amazon Prime, it's free to read through the Kindle App - https://amzn.to/3Oe3V8z
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Stories Of Eel
From Our Local Newspapers
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On September 28 1887, the sheriff at Sunbury published a "Sheriff's Notice For The Enforcement Of Fish Laws"
in 1871, under an act of Pennsylvania legislature for the protection of salmon, black bass, and other food fished "newly introduced or to be introduced" into the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, Sheriff Jacob Kramer of Sunbury, in 1887, gave notice that "all contrivances for the catching of fish, commonly called fish baskets, etc" were hereby declared as common nuisances, and he commanded that all such items be removed throughout his jurisdiction.
In the fish law, section 11, which was quoted in the notice, it included eel weirs.
Northumberland Democrat
October 27 1871
Watsontown Star, October 1883
Eel Skin Gloves
Miltonian, 1/3/1890
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The Eel In Winter
How The Market Is Supplied With These Slippery Creatures
1899
The Miltonian, 9/12/1902
Mentioning the Eel Weirs near Naticoke
Eels on the menu at Litzs
Danville News, Dec 28 1904
The "extensive eel dams constructed above and below the bridge" during low water, did not pan out well. Danville Morning News, September 18 1907
First license for eel fishing was taken out by John Tooey of Danville.
"His dam with basket is constructed near the creeks mouth, is an extensive affair and ten men were employed several days in it's construction. The long wing walls and basket itself may be clearly discerned on looking westward from the river bridge."
Danville Morning News
September 3 1908
"The eel market promises to be overstocked this season. A dam and basket has been placed in the river below the lock by a Milton party, and Watsontown parties have placed similar devices in the river at Racoon Riffles near the mouth of White Deer Creek" - Watsontown Record & Star, August 1908
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An Abundance Of Eels In Danville
September 3 1914
Danville Morning News August 1915
Best Year Yet For Eel Haul in Danville PA
In 1916, Fields Restaurant Had "Fine Eels"
Danville Morning News Jan 1 1916
August 30 1916
Danville Druggist Charles H. Leniger kept an eel as a pet in the store.
April 1919, Sunbury Daily Item
Eyster House had eels on the menu, 15 cents a plate
John Trate caught a 7.5 lb eel below Watsontown
October 6 1921
Miltonian
The Miltonian, April 16 1931
September 25 1937
Sunbury Daily Item
September 8 1934
September 25 1937
Two Jailed In Eel Wall War
September 28 1938
Eel Clubbing By Torchlight
May 29, 1940Sunbury Daily Item
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READ MORE
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The Northumberland County Democrat, Sunbury Pa
May 14 1891
(I need to come back to this one later, when I have more time to read it properly and understand what the controversy was exactly. Eel fishermen are mentioned.)
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