FESTUS, Mo. - A slippery, rarely seen creature may make a surprise appearance in Missouri waters this summer. Believe it or not, American eels live in the Show Me State.

Earlier this week, Steve Hite of Environmental Restoration, LLC, caught and released an American eel while working on the Mississippi River, just south of Plattin Creek near Festus.

The Missouri Department of Conservation recently shared about the sighting, reminding the public that - while rare - American eels indeed live here among us.

According to MDC, the only eels you will find in Missouri are female. While both males and females are commonly found in coastal estuaries, only females make the long journey inland to rivers and streams like those in Missouri. Freshwater environments provide critical feeding and growth

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