European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Back Stream

Largest measured european eel: 52 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Back Stream was 52 cm, recorded at Hither Mead on 25 July 1997.

Across 66 measured european eel, the median measured length was 33 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 61 european eel. The median was 2.6 oz (0.073 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 8 oz (0.68 kg).

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Back Stream.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation29 May 2014Fitzroy (Se-03) · 5 fish

Largest measured european eel: 52 cm
Median length: 33 cm
Fish measured: 66
Survey locations: 6

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured european eel

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
52 cm	25 Jul 1997	Hither Mead	79537
51 cm	11 Sept 1997	Combe Florey Mill	79535
50 cm	11 Sept 1997	Lydeard Down	79534
50 cm	11 Sept 1997	Lydeard Down	79534
50 cm	25 Jul 1997	Hither Mead	79537
48 cm	11 Sept 1997	Lydeard Down	79534
47.5 cm	11 Sept 1997	Combe Florey Mill	79535
47 cm	29 May 2014	Fitzroy (Se-03)	140929
47 cm	31 Jul 1997	The Lawns	79536
42.5 cm	25 Jul 1997	Hither Mead	79537

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where european eel were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one european eel record.

Choose a point on the map to see what was recorded there.

Map points are approximate and don’t show fishing access. Check local permissions before visiting.

Place surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding european eel
Fitzroy (Se-03)	29 Jul 1997	29 May 2014	4
Lydeard Down	11 Sept 1997	11 Sept 1997	1
Combe Florey Mill	11 Sept 1997	11 Sept 1997	1
Staplegrove Mills	4 Sept 1997	4 Sept 1997	1
The Lawns	31 Jul 1997	31 Jul 1997	1
Hither Mead	25 Jul 1997	25 Jul 1997	1

Choose a point or table row to see the location. More survey visits can mean more records, but not necessarily more fish.

1997–2014

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded european eel that year.

697

098

099

000

001

002

103

004

005

006

107

008

009

010

011

012

013

114

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 66 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 12 cm
Lower quarter: 26 cm
Median: 33 cm
Upper quarter: 39.5 cm
Largest: 52 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 61 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.1 oz (0.004 kg)
Lower quarter: 1.4 oz (0.039 kg)
Median: 2.6 oz (0.073 kg)
Upper quarter: 4.1 oz (0.115 kg)
Heaviest: 1 lb 8 oz (0.68 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the Back Stream

Compare other species with enough survey and measurement data for a detailed page.

Brown / sea trout Bullhead

Before you fish

Good to know

These are past survey records, so the fish present today may be different. Map points are approximate—check local access, permissions and fishing rules before visiting.

Learn how RiverFish uses the data →