European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Bristol Avon main river

Largest measured european eel: 78.2 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Bristol Avon main river was 78.2 cm, recorded at Chippenham (Te) on 9 September 2003.

Across 142 measured european eel, the median measured length was 54.8 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 71 european eel. The median was 1 lb 2.6 oz (0.526 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2 lb 12.2 oz (1.25 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation23 August 2023Chippenham (Te) · 1 fish

Largest measured european eel: 78.2 cm
Median length: 54.8 cm
Fish measured: 142
Survey locations: 9

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
78.2 cm	9 Sept 2003	Chippenham (Te)	77016
77.8 cm	9 Sept 2003	Chippenham (Te)	77016
75.5 cm	9 Sept 2003	Chippenham (Te)	77016
75.5 cm	3 Jul 2003	Christian Malford (Te)	76356
75 cm	9 Sept 2003	Chippenham (Te)	77016
74 cm	4 Sept 2006	Chippenham (Te)	101177
73.5 cm	4 Sept 2006	Chippenham (Te)	101177
73.5 cm	9 Sept 2003	Chippenham (Te)	77016
73 cm	8 Sept 2004	Rawlings Farm (Te)	82022
72.5 cm	9 Sept 2003	Chippenham (Te)	77016

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
Chippenham (Te)	9 Sept 2003	23 Aug 2023	12
Great Somerford (Te)	28 Aug 2002	22 Aug 2023	7
Lacock (Te)	20 Aug 2003	23 Aug 2017	11
Christian Malford (Te)	19 May 1999	1 Sept 2016	6
Melksham	31 Aug 2016	31 Aug 2016	1
Barton Country Park	18 Sept 2014	18 Sept 2014	1
Rawlings Farm (Te)	8 Sept 2004	8 Sept 2004	1
Cow Bridge	27 May 1999	27 May 1999	1
u/s Kingsmead Mill	26 May 1999	26 May 1999	1

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

1999–2023

Survey records by year

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

399

000

001

102

303

404

205

306

007

008

309

410

311

012

113

214

115

516

317

018

119

020

021

022

223

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 142 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 12.3 cm
Lower quarter: 42.1 cm
Median: 54.8 cm
Upper quarter: 64.2 cm
Largest: 78.2 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 71 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.8 oz (0.023 kg)
Lower quarter: 10.5 oz (0.298 kg)
Median: 1 lb 2.6 oz (0.526 kg)
Upper quarter: 1 lb 8.1 oz (0.684 kg)
Heaviest: 2 lb 12.2 oz (1.25 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Bristol Avon main river

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

Roach Minnow Perch Chub Dace Pike

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 →