I live in Maine.
They stopped giving out licenses for glass eels back in 2009. Now, when someone gives up their license, I think there is a lottery for the available license or licenses.
The season is in late April and in May. A handful of years ago, these baby glass eels were selling for as much as $2,500 a pound.
A guy in my area made $2 million in two months. Most people make less than that, but still quite a bit for a short season. At one time, the elver fisherman, as they are called....were paid in cash.
These glass eels, or elvers, are found in fresh water rivers and stream that empty into salt water. They are shipped live to Korea, Japan, China, and elsewhere in Asia where these eels are raised into adulthood and then harvested.
I believe there is a now a quota on these eels. At one time there was NO quota. Years ago, the money was not nearly as good as it has been in recent years.
The only other state that allows the legal harvest of these baby eels is South Carolina.
It IS a big deal here in Maine.
Thanks I knew it was hard if not nearly impossible to get them- and even when they do all the ‘good spots’ are snapped up already- The competition is pretty fierce i guess- and hwo can blame em? The money is phenomenal- better than gold rush really
The had a show on it a few years back- it was quite interesting- wish they had kept the show goin- now all i’ve got is northwoods justice to see maine again lol-