Eel Found Living In South Suburban Lake

(CBS) -- A fisherman has made a surprise find in a small forest preserve lake near Orland Park -- an eel that may have made a 3700 mile trip to get there, reports WBBM's Bob Roberts.

A fisherman on Lake Tampier let out a yell when he hooked, and fought to bring ashore, the 30-inch long, five-pound American eel.

"He definitely gave the fisherman a run for his money. I think the fisherman thought he was snagged at first and then he said he thought he had a great northern Pike lashed on because it was a very strong animal," said Forest Preserves fisheries biologist Steve Silic.

Silic says it's harmless, just well-traveled. It was born in the North Atlantic, and may have taken eight years to make the trip either through the St. Lawrence Seaway or the Mississippi River, slithering the last couple of miles.

It's only the third such find on the lake in 30 years. It was examined, then re-released.