European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Colne Water

Largest measured european eel: 49 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Colne Water was 49 cm, recorded at Confluence Church Clough Brook on 7 July 1993.

Across 24 measured european eel, the median measured length was 27.5 cm.

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation3 July 2023Greenfield Road · 3 fish

Largest measured european eel: 49 cm
Median length: 27.5 cm
Fish measured: 24
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
49 cm	7 Jul 1993	Confluence Church Clough Brook	114698
43 cm	3 Jul 2023	Greenfield Road	162487
41 cm	30 Jun 1993	Downstream M65 ptc Pendle Water	114700
40 cm	24 Jun 2013	Laneshaw bridge	137487
40 cm	24 Jun 2013	Laneshaw bridge	137487
40 cm	7 Jul 1993	Confluence Church Clough Brook	114698
38 cm	10 Sept 2012	Downstream North Valley Road Brook	133368
32 cm	15 Oct 2007	Downstream North Valley Road Brook	108874
32 cm	16 Jul 2004	Laneshaw bridge	83164
30 cm	3 Jul 2023	Greenfield Road	162487

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
Greenfield Road	3 Jul 2023	3 Jul 2023	1
Downstream M65 ptc Pendle Water	30 Jun 1993	16 Aug 2017	6
Laneshaw bridge	29 Sept 1998	24 Jun 2013	3
Downstream North Valley Road Brook	10 Aug 1999	10 Sept 2012	3
Cotton Tree Lane	10 Aug 1999	10 Aug 1999	1
Confluence Church Clough Brook	7 Jul 1993	10 Aug 1999	2

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

1993–2023

Survey records by year

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

293

094

095

096

097

198

499

000

001

002

003

104

005

006

107

008

009

110

011

112

113

114

015

116

117

018

019

020

021

022

123

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 24 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 18.5 cm
Lower quarter: 23.4 cm
Median: 27.5 cm
Upper quarter: 38.5 cm
Largest: 49 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Colne Water

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Stone loach Minnow

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 →