European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Grand Union Canal

Largest measured european eel: 92 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Grand Union Canal was 92 cm, recorded at u/s Widewater Lock on 4 June 2013.

Across 37 measured european eel, the median measured length was 50.3 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 36 european eel. The median was 7.9 oz (0.224 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 3 lb 7.1 oz (1.56 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation4 June 2013u/s Widewater Lock · 1 fish

Largest measured european eel: 92 cm
Median length: 50.3 cm
Fish measured: 37
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
92 cm	4 Jun 2013	u/s Widewater Lock	136265
78.4 cm	18 Mar 1988	Coppermill Lane, Rickmansworth	116490
76 cm	23 Mar 1988	Victoria Park	116189
72.5 cm	5 Nov 1987	Stockley Road	116118
70 cm	23 Mar 1988	Victoria Park	116189
69.2 cm	5 Jun 1987	Horsendon Lane	116193
64 cm	23 Mar 1988	Victoria Park	116189
63 cm	26 Apr 1988	Slough Arm at Iver North STW	116487
62.4 cm	5 Jun 1987	Horsendon Lane	116193
62 cm	5 Jun 1987	Horsendon Lane	116193

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
u/s Widewater Lock	4 Jun 2013	4 Jun 2013	1
Slough Arm at Iver North STW	26 Apr 1988	26 Apr 1988	1
Victoria Park	23 Mar 1988	23 Mar 1988	1
Coppermill Lane, Rickmansworth	18 Mar 1988	18 Mar 1988	1
Stockley Road	5 Nov 1987	5 Nov 1987	1
Horsendon Lane	5 Jun 1987	5 Jun 1987	1
Bankside	3 Jun 1987	3 Jun 1987	1
Berkhamsted	31 Mar 1987	31 Mar 1987	1
Johnsons Lock	17 Mar 1987	17 Mar 1987	1

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

1987–2013

Survey records by year

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

587

388

089

090

091

092

093

094

095

096

097

098

099

000

001

002

003

004

005

006

007

008

009

010

011

012

113

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 37 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 9.5 cm
Lower quarter: 36 cm
Median: 50.3 cm
Upper quarter: 62 cm
Largest: 92 cm

0–99 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

900–999 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 36 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 1.2 oz (0.035 kg)
Lower quarter: 3.2 oz (0.0898 kg)
Median: 7.9 oz (0.224 kg)
Upper quarter: 1 lb 1.9 oz (0.5062 kg)
Heaviest: 3 lb 7.1 oz (1.56 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Grand Union Canal

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

Perch Roach Pike Common bream Gudgeon 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 →