RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main River Sheppey

Largest measured european eel: 72 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Sheppey was 72 cm, recorded at Upstream confl. Division Rhyne on 20 August 1991.

Across 670 measured european eel, the median measured length was 29.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 560 european eel. The median was 1.6 oz (0.046 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 7.7 oz (0.673 kg).

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 Sheppey.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation22 September 2023Melsbury Farm · 15 fish
Largest measured european eel
72 cm
Median length
29.5 cm
Fish measured
670
Survey locations
15

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 cm20 Aug 1991Upstream confl. Division Rhyne82580
65.5 cm25 Aug 2009Godney Farm (Te)118805
63.5 cm3 Sept 1991Hurn & Shotts Farms82440
63 cm25 May 2023Godney Farm (Te)162375
58 cm25 May 2023Godney Farm (Te)162375
55 cm4 Sept 1991River Farm82458
54.5 cm25 Aug 2009Godney Farm (Te)118805
52.2 cm16 Jun 2010Godney Farm (Te)122360
51 cm12 Sept 1991Downstream Dinder82171
50.5 cm4 Sept 1991River Farm82458

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
Melsbury Farm22 Sept 202322 Sept 20231
Hurn Weir21 Sept 202321 Sept 20231
D/s Woodford Bridge29 May 201228 Jul 20233
Godney Farm (Te)12 Aug 200325 May 202313
D/s A37129 May 201229 May 20121
Dinder (Se-04)14 May 200414 May 20041
Downstream Dinder12 Sept 199112 Sept 19911
Croscombe12 Sept 199112 Sept 19911
Upstream Woodford Bridge10 Sept 199110 Sept 19911
Downstream Dulcote10 Sept 199110 Sept 19911
Coxley Wick6 Sept 19916 Sept 19911
The Piggeries5 Sept 19915 Sept 19911
River Farm4 Sept 19914 Sept 19911
Hurn & Shotts Farms3 Sept 19913 Sept 19911
Upstream confl. Division Rhyne20 Aug 199120 Aug 19911

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

1991–2023

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 670 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
7 cm
Lower quarter
26 cm
Median
29.5 cm
Upper quarter
33 cm
Largest
72 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 560 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.1 oz (0.004 kg)
Lower quarter
1.1 oz (0.031 kg)
Median
1.6 oz (0.046 kg)
Upper quarter
2.3 oz (0.064 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 7.7 oz (0.673 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Sheppey

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

3-spined stickleback Brown / sea trout Stone loach Chub Bullhead Dace

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 →