RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Counter Drain

Largest measured european eel: 69 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Counter Drain was 69 cm, recorded at Salters Lode on 20 May 2008.

Across 20 measured european eel, the median measured length was 35.9 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 19 european eel. The median was 3.5 oz (0.1 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 12.2 oz (0.8 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation3 April 2014Sutton Gault · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
69 cm
Median length
35.9 cm
Fish measured
20
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.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
69 cm20 May 2008Salters Lode111111
44.1 cm11 Apr 2011Mepal126081
44 cm20 May 2008Salters Lode111111
42 cm21 Apr 2004Vandervells Lake79732
40 cm20 May 2008Salters Lode111111
40 cm22 Apr 2004Welney79697
38 cm20 May 2008Salters Lode111111
38 cm20 May 2008Salters Lode111111
37 cm3 Apr 2003Welney75812
36.8 cm3 Apr 2014Sutton Gault140627

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
Sutton Gault13 May 19973 Apr 20142
Mepal15 May 199711 Apr 20112
Salters Lode22 Apr 198820 May 20084
Welney20 Apr 198822 Apr 20045
Vandervells Lake15 Apr 199321 Apr 20042
DS Welney21 Apr 198821 May 19973
Jolly Bankers5 Apr 199312 May 19972
Black Sluice21 Mar 198812 May 19972
Welches28 Mar 198828 Mar 19881

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

1988–2014

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 20 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
19.8 cm
Lower quarter
29 cm
Median
35.9 cm
Upper quarter
40 cm
Largest
69 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 19 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.5 oz (0.013 kg)
Lower quarter
1.9 oz (0.0525 kg)
Median
3.5 oz (0.1 kg)
Upper quarter
6 oz (0.17 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 12.2 oz (0.8 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Counter Drain

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

Spined loach Perch Pike Roach Common bream Tench

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 →