RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main River Mole

Largest measured european eel: 52 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Mole was 52 cm, recorded at South Wood (Sp) on 18 August 2025.

Across 69 measured european eel, the median measured length was 23 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 Mole.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation19 August 2025Mole Bride (Dip) · 6 fish
Largest measured european eel
52 cm
Median length
23 cm
Fish measured
69
Survey locations
16

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
52 cm18 Aug 2025South Wood (Sp)178099
50 cm19 May 2022Parkhouse*161071
48.5 cm21 Aug 2018Heasley Mill (Sp)153464
43.5 cm21 Aug 2018Heasley Mill (Sp)153464
43 cm28 Jun 2022North Heasley Mine (Te)161157
38.5 cm7 Sept 2012Parkhouse*133348
38 cm8 Aug 2016North Heasley Mine (Te)148844
38 cm8 Aug 2016North Heasley Mine (Te)148844
37 cm10 Jul 2025North Heasley Mine (Te)178039
35 cm2 Sept 2009Coppice Field (Sp)*118786

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
Mole Bride (Dip)2 Sept 199619 Aug 20255
South Wood (Sp)13 Aug 199618 Aug 20254
South Molton Rugby Ground (Sp)5 Aug 20255 Aug 20251
North Heasley Mine (Te)12 Aug 199610 Jul 202511
North Molton (5 min)13 Aug 199618 Sept 20236
Upstream Riverside Caravan Park26 Jul 202124 May 20233
Parkhouse*13 Aug 199624 May 20237
Little Hele Wood (Dip)*3 Sept 199624 May 20236
Head Bridge (Dip)3 Sept 199627 Sept 20184
Heasley Mill (Sp)12 Aug 199621 Aug 20183
Wampford Bridge (Dip)3 Sept 199611 Sept 20123
Higher Water Town (Dip)*3 Sept 199611 Sept 20122
South Molton (Dip)*3 Sept 19967 Sept 20123
Coppice Field (Sp)*7 Sept 20062 Sept 20094
Alswear (Dip)*21 Aug 199630 Aug 20053
Lenton (Dip)*3 Sept 19963 Sept 19961

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

1996–2025

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 69 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
10.2 cm
Lower quarter
16 cm
Median
23 cm
Upper quarter
31 cm
Largest
52 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Mole

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon 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 →