European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main River Lew

Largest measured european eel: 51.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Lew was 51.5 cm, recorded at Gribbleford (Te) on 9 August 2023.

Across 33 measured european eel, the median measured length was 29.5 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 Lew.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation8 August 2025U/s Kennel Bridge (Te) · 2 fish

Largest measured european eel: 51.5 cm
Median length: 29.5 cm
Fish measured: 33
Survey locations: 3

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
51.5 cm	9 Aug 2023	Gribbleford (Te)	163659
45 cm	16 Jul 2025	Gribbleford (Te)	178611
43 cm	16 Jul 2025	Gribbleford (Te)	178611
42 cm	1 Aug 2024	Gribbleford (Te)	166135
42 cm	13 Jul 2015	Gribbleford (Te)	145395
40.5 cm	22 Aug 2016	U/s Kennel Bridge (Te)	149087
40 cm	1 Aug 2024	Gribbleford (Te)	166135
36.5 cm	27 Aug 2019	U/s Kennel Bridge (Te)	155381
35 cm	16 Jul 2025	Gribbleford (Te)	178611
35 cm	10 Sept 2024	U/s Kennel Bridge (Te)	167211

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 Kennel Bridge (Te)	4 Aug 1997	8 Aug 2025	14
Gribbleford (Te)	14 Aug 1998	16 Jul 2025	7
Lewer Bridge (Sp)	24 Sept 2002	24 Sept 2002	1

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

1997–2025

Survey records by year

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

197

298

099

000

001

202

003

104

005

206

107

008

009

010

011

112

013

114

115

116

217

118

119

020

021

022

123

224

225

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 33 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 10.5 cm
Lower quarter: 19 cm
Median: 29.5 cm
Upper quarter: 35 cm
Largest: 51.5 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Lew

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Bullhead Stone loach Minnow

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 →