RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Eel Survey

Largest measured european eel: 88 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Eel Survey was 88 cm, recorded at Huntspill at Sloway on 10 August 2012.

Across 4,926 measured european eel, the median measured length was 28.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 1,230 european eel. The median was 3.2 oz (0.092 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 4 lb 6.5 oz (2 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation10 May 2023Chard Reservoir · 42 fish
Largest measured european eel
88 cm
Median length
28.5 cm
Fish measured
4,926
Survey locations
13

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
88 cm10 Aug 2012Huntspill at Sloway132987
85 cm9 Aug 2011Huntspill at Sloway128406
85 cm12 Aug 2009Oath Lock Downstream120680
84 cm12 Aug 2012Huntspill at Sloway132989
84 cm13 Aug 2009Huntspill at Sloway118407
82 cm10 May 2023Chard Reservoir162331
82 cm12 Aug 2012Huntspill at Sloway132989
82 cm21 Aug 2010Huntspill at Sloway123591
80.5 cm9 Aug 2012Huntspill at Sloway132986
80 cm19 Aug 2000Huntspill at Sloway79388

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
Chard Reservoir10 May 202310 May 20231
Bossington14 May 200823 Apr 20147
Bathpool7 Sept 200729 Aug 20134
Huntspill at Sloway5 Aug 199921 Aug 2013181
Ashford Farm20 Jul 200725 Jul 20134
Bow Bridge3 Aug 200716 Jul 20135
Riverside Farm19 Jul 20074 Jul 20133
Eastville Park9 Aug 20073 Jul 20135
Huntspill sloway tidal d/s sluice18 Aug 201230 Aug 20123
Stanton Drew23 Aug 200721 Aug 20124
Noddy's House5 Jun 20089 Sept 20092
Oath Lock Downstream11 Aug 200912 Aug 20092
Sloway extra4 Aug 20094 Aug 20091

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.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 4,926 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
6.5 cm
Lower quarter
17.5 cm
Median
28.5 cm
Upper quarter
40 cm
Largest
88 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 1,230 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
1.4 oz (0.0392 kg)
Median
3.2 oz (0.092 kg)
Upper quarter
7.1 oz (0.2 kg)
Heaviest
4 lb 6.5 oz (2 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Eel Survey

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

Roach Gudgeon Bullhead Perch Stone loach 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 →