RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Chess Stream

Largest measured european eel: 61 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Chess Stream was 61 cm, recorded at Park Farm on 24 July 1997.

Across 239 measured european eel, the median measured length was 30.6 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 145 european eel. The median was 2.3 oz (0.066 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 15.9 oz (0.452 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation13 May 2014Downstream Chess Bridge · 82 fish
Largest measured european eel
61 cm
Median length
30.6 cm
Fish measured
239
Survey locations
5

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.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
61 cm24 Jul 1997Park Farm52041
55 cm13 May 2014Park Farm140776
50.8 cm30 Aug 2002Park Farm63580
50.3 cm17 Dec 1997North Park Farm Q72640
49.6 cm20 Aug 2002North Park Farm sq55331
49.3 cm30 Aug 2002Park Farm63580
49 cm14 Sept 2007Park Farm107269
48.9 cm20 Aug 2002North Park Farm sq55331
47.5 cm20 Aug 2002North Park Farm sq55331
47.5 cm20 Aug 2002North Park Farm sq55331

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 surveyedFirst recordedLast recordedVisits finding european eel
Park Farm24 Jul 199713 May 20144
Downstream Chess Bridge28 Aug 200213 May 20142
Parsonage Wood5 Oct 200419 Sept 20074
North Park Farm sq20 Aug 200220 Aug 20021
North Park Farm Q17 Dec 199717 Dec 19971

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.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 239 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.8 cm
Lower quarter
23 cm
Median
30.6 cm
Upper quarter
35.5 cm
Largest
61 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 145 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.2 oz (0.005 kg)
Lower quarter
1.3 oz (0.038 kg)
Median
2.3 oz (0.066 kg)
Upper quarter
3.2 oz (0.092 kg)
Heaviest
15.9 oz (0.452 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Chess Stream

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

Gudgeon Stone loach Roach 3-spined stickleback Bullhead Brown / sea trout

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 →