RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main Avon Sites

Largest measured european eel: 72.3 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main Avon Sites was 72.3 cm, recorded at Salisbury Wetherspoons on 19 August 2014.

Across 434 measured european eel, the median measured length was 34 cm.

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation14 October 2025Avon Bridge · 2 fish
Largest measured european eel
72.3 cm
Median length
34 cm
Fish measured
434
Survey locations
41

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
72.3 cm19 Aug 2014Salisbury Wetherspoons142648
70.9 cm19 Aug 2014Salisbury Wetherspoons142648
69.3 cm11 Sept 2013Ham Carrier138800
69 cm10 Sept 2014Downstream Figheldean Bridge142849
68 cm10 Sept 2014Amesbury tank crossing142804
67.5 cm12 Sept 2012Salisbury Wetherspoons134160
67.2 cm12 Sept 2012Salisbury Wetherspoons134160
66 cm13 Sept 2017Downstream Figheldean Bridge151730
65 cm14 Sept 2022Avon Bridge161433
65 cm16 Aug 2021Stratford -Sub-Castle160664

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
Avon Bridge5 Sept 200114 Oct 202517
Downton8 Aug 20198 Oct 20255
Amesbury Abbey Weir19 Aug 200429 Sept 20253
Woodgreen- The Shallows6 Sept 202225 Sept 20252
Ham Carrier5 Sept 200124 Sept 202512
Royalty Bottom Island16 Aug 202315 Aug 20242
d/s bottom weir at Bickton11 Aug 200414 Aug 20246
d/s Standlynch Mill Pool19 Aug 202114 Aug 20243
Salisbury Wetherspoons CPUE8 Aug 201914 Aug 20245
London Anglers Salisbury6 Sept 202214 Aug 20243
Fordingbridge Rec8 Aug 201914 Aug 20245
Bugmoor Hatches14 Aug 202414 Aug 20241
Ibsley8 Aug 20248 Aug 20241
Downstream Figheldean Bridge4 Oct 201225 Aug 20235
Amesbury tank crossing4 Oct 201225 Aug 20234
Royalty Downstream Railway Bridge16 Aug 202316 Aug 20231
Ringwood Downstream A319 Aug 201916 Aug 20234
Upavon Downstream Road Bridge7 Aug 201914 Aug 20232
Middle Woodford Mill16 Oct 201214 Aug 20233
Fifield Downstream Tank Crossing7 Aug 20199 Sept 20223
Wattons Ford5 Aug 20147 Sept 20223
Hatchpool at Great Weir9 Aug 20197 Sept 20222
Downstream Wattons Ford18 Aug 20217 Sept 20222
River Avon at Maltings Car Park14 Oct 202114 Oct 20211
Stratford -Sub-Castle9 Sept 201416 Aug 20212
Little Durnford Hatches16 Aug 202116 Aug 20211
Lake Pump House Spawning Channel16 Aug 202116 Aug 20211
Burgate Manor Farm24 Sept 201424 Sept 20141
Amesbury d/s Queensbury Bridge5 Oct 20123 Sept 20142
Salisbury Wetherspoons12 Sept 201219 Aug 20142
Newcourt Carrier at Downton10 Sept 200124 Oct 20112
Navigation11 Sept 200124 Oct 20114
A7R Royalty Gt.Weir to Clay Pool18 May 200411 May 20115
A4R Ibsley to Ringwood25 May 20049 May 20114
A5R Ringwood to Bickerley Stream Confluence27 May 20045 May 20115
A1R Salisbury to Kitts Island3 Jun 20048 May 20084
A2R Downton-Breamore14 Jun 20045 Jun 20073
A6R Avon Turn - Winkton20 May 200417 May 20052
A3R Burgate to East Mills1 Jun 200414 Apr 20052
New Riffle at Charford19 Oct 200419 Oct 20041
Amesbury Abbey22 Apr 200422 Apr 20041

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

2001–2025

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 434 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9 cm
Lower quarter
24.9 cm
Median
34 cm
Upper quarter
48 cm
Largest
72.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main Avon Sites

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

Bullhead Minnow Stone loach Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Chub

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 →