RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main River Torridge

Largest measured european eel: 46 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Torridge was 46 cm, recorded at Fordmill Farm (Sp) on 9 July 2026.

Across 109 measured european eel, the median measured length was 19 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 Torridge.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation9 July 2026Fordmill Farm (Sp) · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
46 cm
Median length
19 cm
Fish measured
109
Survey locations
31

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
46 cm9 Jul 2026Fordmill Farm (Sp)182314
45 cm15 Aug 2013D/s Black Torrington Bridge (Dip)138070
42.5 cm10 Jul 2017Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)150825
42 cm23 Jul 2024Fordmill Farm (Sp)166350
42 cm10 Jul 2017Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)150825
42 cm10 Aug 2011Weir Wood (Dip)127349
39.2 cm10 Aug 2011Weir Wood (Dip)127349
37 cm15 Aug 2013D/s Black Torrington Bridge (Dip)138070
36.1 cm8 Aug 2024Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)166353
36 cm23 Jul 2024Castle Hill (Dip)166138

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
Fordmill Farm (Sp)23 Jul 20249 Jul 20262
Upstream Hut Pool (Dip)24 Sept 199716 Sept 20245
Downstream Rothern Bridge (Dip)23 Sept 199716 Sept 20246
Upstream Newbridge (Dip)28 Sept 20014 Sept 20244
Tockley (Dip)28 Sept 20014 Sept 20244
Downstream Greatwood (Dip)17 Sept 19974 Sept 20247
Upstream Yeory Pool (Dip)24 Sept 19979 Aug 20244
Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)13 Aug 20038 Aug 20244
D/s Black Torrington Bridge (Dip)29 Jul 20115 Aug 20243
Castle Hill (Dip)23 Sept 199723 Jul 20246
Downstream Horton Bridge (Te)7 Jul 200328 Jun 20242
Kismeldon Bridge (Sp)28 Jun 201728 Jun 20171
Hele Barton (WFDs)*14 Aug 201314 Aug 20131
Settlement (Dip)31 Aug 201131 Aug 20111
Brightley Barton (Dip)*28 Sept 200117 Aug 20113
Beaford Bridge (Dip)*19 Sept 199717 Aug 20113
Weir Wood (Dip)27 Sept 200110 Aug 20113
Upstream Darkham Wood (Dip)*26 Sept 200110 Aug 20113
Newton Mill (Sp)*5 Aug 20115 Aug 20111
Downstream Torrington S.T.W. (Dip)*23 Sept 19971 Aug 20115
Monument (Dip)*17 Sept 199727 Jul 20114
Downstream Haytown Bridge (Te)11 Jul 200321 Jul 20052
Woodford Bridge (Sp)*8 Aug 20038 Aug 20031
Allacott (Dip)16 Jul 200316 Jul 20031
Downstream Hele Bridge (Dip)4 Jul 20034 Jul 20031
1km Downstream Hele Bridge (Dip)*4 Jul 20034 Jul 20031
Woodrun (Dip)*24 Sept 19972 Jul 20032
Blinsham Ford (Dip)19 Sept 19971 Jul 20033
Darkham Wood (Dip)23 Sept 199730 Jun 20034
Settlement (Sp)*27 Aug 199827 Aug 19981
Dippermill (Dip/WFD)9 Sept 19979 Sept 19971

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

1997–2026

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 109 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
8.9 cm
Lower quarter
12.5 cm
Median
19 cm
Upper quarter
27.3 cm
Largest
46 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Torridge

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

Bullhead Atlantic salmon Minnow Stone loach Brown / sea trout 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 →