RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main River Exe

Largest measured european eel: 65 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Exe was 65 cm, recorded at Downstream Exebridge Bridge (Dip) on 9 August 2010.

Across 32 measured european eel, the median measured length was 36 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 River Exe.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation6 September 2023Hantons at Exford (Te) · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
65 cm
Median length
36 cm
Fish measured
32
Survey locations
23

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
65 cm9 Aug 2010Downstream Exebridge Bridge (Dip)123353
63 cm4 Aug 2016Downstream Nethercote Br (Te)148825
60 cm18 Aug 2010Up Exe (Dip)123480
56 cm7 Aug 2015Lyncombe Farm (Sp)145834
55 cm9 Aug 2010Upstream Blackpool (Dip)*123354
53.5 cm24 Aug 2009Downstream Exebridge Bridge (Dip)118560
53 cm5 Aug 2022Vicarage Bridge (Sp)161248
50 cm5 Aug 2022Larcombe Foot (Sp)161247
48.9 cm28 Aug 2009Downstream Tiverton Town (Dip)118705
45 cm2 Jul 2009Warren Farm (Sp)117620

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
Hantons at Exford (Te)22 Aug 20026 Sept 20235
Downstream Tiverton Town (Dip)28 Aug 200912 Sept 20223
Upstream Barle/Exe Confluence (Dip)22 Aug 202222 Aug 20221
Vicarage Bridge (Sp)3 Jul 19985 Aug 20225
Larcombe Foot (Sp)29 Jul 20045 Aug 20223
Hele Bridge (Sp)20 Aug 199822 Jul 20223
Westermill Farm (Te)29 Jun 199825 Aug 20163
Downstream Nethercote Br (Te)6 Jul 19984 Aug 20168
Downstream Exebridge Bridge (Dip)5 Jul 20063 Sept 20154
Lyncombe Farm (Sp)7 Aug 20157 Aug 20151
Yealscombe (Sp)29 Jun 19986 Aug 20152
Up Exe (Dip)16 Aug 200418 Aug 20103
Upstream Blackpool (Dip)*21 Sept 20079 Aug 20102
Upstream Chain Bridge (Dip)26 Aug 200926 Aug 20091
Warren Farm (Sp)2 Jul 20092 Jul 20091
Kemps Valley (Te/WFD)6 Jul 19981 Aug 20083
Coppleham Bridge (Te)10 Jul 199823 Aug 20064
Downstream Blackpool Downstream Gauging weir (Dip)5 Jul 20065 Jul 20061
100m u/s Halfpenny Bridge (Dip)*9 Aug 20059 Aug 20051
Hone Farm (Sp)10 Jul 19984 Aug 20042
Chilly Bridge (Sp)8 Jul 19988 Jul 19981
Hole in the Hedge (Sp)*6 Jul 19986 Jul 19981
Weir Bridge (Sp)29 Jun 199829 Jun 19981

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

1998–2023

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 32 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
11.8 cm
Lower quarter
21 cm
Median
36.1 cm
Upper quarter
49.2 cm
Largest
65 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Exe

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Bullhead Stone loach Minnow Grayling

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 →