RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main river sites

Largest measured european eel: 59.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main river sites was 59.5 cm, recorded at Cruxton on 18 September 2009.

Across 358 measured european eel, the median measured length was 34.6 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 sites.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation13 September 2023Lower Bockhampton · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
59.5 cm
Median length
34.6 cm
Fish measured
358
Survey locations
26

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
59.5 cm18 Sept 2009Cruxton119266
59 cm18 Sept 2009Cruxton119266
57 cm7 Oct 2009Opposite Ambulance Station119195
57 cm17 Sept 2009Muckleford119264
56.5 cm18 Sept 2009Cruxton119266
56 cm12 Sept 2016Crockway Farm149375
56 cm15 Sept 2010Upstream Woodsford WLMP124010
56 cm17 Sept 2009Muckleford119264
54.5 cm9 Oct 2013Crockway Farm139455
54.4 cm15 Oct 2013Wrackleford Main Channel140291

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
Lower Bockhampton13 Jul 200613 Sept 20233
Cruxton23 Aug 200513 Sept 20234
Upstream Sandhills24 Aug 201724 Aug 20171
Chilfrome Downstream Bridge9 Oct 201222 Sept 20163
Crockways9 Oct 201312 Sept 20162
Crockway Farm9 Oct 201312 Sept 20162
Holmebridge25 Sept 200922 Oct 20152
Opposite Ambulance Station7 Oct 200913 Oct 20152
Wrackleford18 Oct 200623 Sept 20152
d/s Woodsford6 Sept 20054 Sept 20153
d/s Louds Mill18 Sept 200919 Aug 20153
Lewell Mill9 Sept 200918 Aug 20152
Ford at Moreton12 Sept 200518 Aug 20153
d/s Hangmans Weir15 Oct 201315 Oct 20131
Wrackleford Main Channel15 Oct 201315 Oct 20131
Muckleford d/s of bridge15 Oct 201315 Oct 20131
Upstream Martin River Island14 Aug 201314 Aug 20131
Upstream Woodsford WLMP15 Sept 201015 Sept 20101
Downstream Woodsford WLMP8 Sept 20108 Sept 20101
Muckleford18 Oct 200617 Sept 20092
Whitfield Farm (A37)2 Sept 20092 Sept 20091
Maiden Newton House - mill29 Sept 200629 Sept 20061
Martins River Island13 Jul 200613 Jul 20061
Rushton Farm6 Sept 20056 Sept 20051
d/s East Stoke to u/s Swanage Railway Bridge14 Jun 200514 Jun 20051
Wareham Boathouse to Swineham Point4 May 20054 May 20051

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

2005–2023

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 358 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9 cm
Lower quarter
26.8 cm
Median
34.7 cm
Upper quarter
42.9 cm
Largest
59.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main river sites

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Minnow Bullhead Stone loach 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 →