European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Itchen Navigation

Largest measured european eel: 74.3 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Itchen Navigation was 74.3 cm, recorded at Ham Farm on 23 August 2017.

Across 676 measured european eel, the median measured length was 36.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 24 european eel. The median was 8.8 oz (0.25 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 3.2 oz (0.543 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation27 October 2025Ham Farm · 46 fish

Largest measured european eel: 74.3 cm
Median length: 36.5 cm
Fish measured: 676
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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
74.3 cm	23 Aug 2017	Ham Farm	151345
65 cm	20 Sept 2013	Ham Farm	138928
65 cm	22 Sept 2009	Shawford navigation eel index	120016
65 cm	9 Sept 2006	Tun Bridge	101569
63 cm	19 Sept 2005	Allbrook Lock	86420
62 cm	2 Sept 2019	Ham Farm	155311
62 cm	6 Sept 2011	Ham Farm	127925
62 cm	9 Sept 2006	Tun Bridge	101569
61.5 cm	9 Sept 2006	Tun Bridge	101569
59.7 cm	19 Sept 2006	Allbrook Lock	102332

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
Ham Farm	1 Sept 2009	27 Oct 2025	9
Shawford navigation eel index	22 Sept 2009	22 Sept 2009	1
Allbrook Lock	18 Sept 2002	19 Sept 2006	5
Tun Bridge	16 Sept 2002	9 Sept 2006	4
Riverside Park	20 Oct 2003	20 Sept 2005	3

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

2002–2025

Survey records by year

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

202

203

304

305

206

007

008

209

010

111

012

113

014

115

016

117

018

119

020

021

122

123

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 676 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 11 cm
Lower quarter: 27.7 cm
Median: 36.5 cm
Upper quarter: 46 cm
Largest: 74.3 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

186

300–399 mm

185

400–499 mm

175

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 24 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 1.3 oz (0.036 kg)
Lower quarter: 4.9 oz (0.1388 kg)
Median: 8.8 oz (0.25 kg)
Upper quarter: 10.5 oz (0.2975 kg)
Heaviest: 1 lb 3.2 oz (0.543 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Itchen Navigation

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

Pike Minnow Roach Grayling Atlantic salmon 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 →