Rare Golden Eel Caught in Soyangho Lake, sparking Hope for Bountiful Catch
Soyangho Lake, Gangwon Province – A remarkably rare golden eel ( Anguilla Japonica) has been caught in Soyangho Lake, captivating the local fishing industry and drawing attention from academic researchers. The revelation, made recently, is considered an exceptionally fortunate event, with experts estimating the odds of encountering such a specimen at roughly one in tens of thousands.
Unlike typical “Marvel Eels” which display black spots on a white background, this eel boasts a unique golden coloration resulting from a partial absence of melanin pigment. Kang Hyun-guk, general secretary of the soyangho industry, stated, “I have caught fish in Yanggu and Inje for more than 20 years, but I see these eel for the first time.”
The 50cm eel is being transferred to the Chuncheon Gangwon special Self-Governing ProvinceS Inland Surface Resources Center for educational purposes. Kangwon National University’s fish research center head, Choi Jae-seok, confirmed the eel’s rarity, noting, “The golden eel is extremely rare, with only one or two of tens of thousands.”
This isn’t the first instance of a golden eel appearing in Korean waters. A 70cm golden eel was caught in Jindo, Jeollanam-do in July, and another was discovered in the Han River near Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do in October 2021. Historically, fishermen have viewed these golden eels as symbols of wealth and prosperity – a “Gil-un,” or auspicious sign.
The recent catch in Soyangho Lake is being embraced as a positive omen for a successful autumn fishing season, with the community hoping it signals a plentiful yield.
