European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Main Tory Brook

Largest measured european eel: 41 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main Tory Brook was 41 cm, recorded at Upstream Smallhangar Brook Below Natural Barrier on 24 September 2014.

Across 160 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 Tory Brook.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation18 June 2025Plympton Playing Fields · 12 fish

Largest measured european eel: 41 cm
Median length: 23 cm
Fish measured: 160
Survey locations: 6

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
41 cm	24 Sept 2014	Upstream Smallhangar Brook Below Natural Barrier	143282
41 cm	8 Jul 1998	Plympton	102165
38 cm	7 Jul 1998	Plympton Playing Fields	102125
36 cm	4 Jun 2013	Newnham Park	136411
36 cm	7 Jul 1998	Plympton Playing Fields	102125
35.5 cm	28 Jun 2002	Plympton Playing Fields	69241
35 cm	7 Jul 1998	Plympton Playing Fields	102125
34.5 cm	7 Jul 1998	Plympton Playing Fields	102125
34 cm	4 Jun 2013	Plympton Playing Fields	136412
34 cm	4 Jun 2013	Newnham Park	136411

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
Plympton Playing Fields	7 Jul 1998	18 Jun 2025	7
Upstream Smallhangar Brook and Natural Barrier	24 Sept 2014	24 Sept 2014	1
Upstream Smallhangar Brook Below Natural Barrier	24 Sept 2014	24 Sept 2014	1
Upstream Newnham Road Culvert	24 Sept 2014	24 Sept 2014	1
Newnham Park	7 Jul 1998	4 Jun 2013	3
Plympton	8 Jul 1998	8 Jul 1998	1

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

1998–2025

Survey records by year

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

398

099

000

001

102

003

204

005

006

107

008

009

010

011

012

213

314

015

016

017

018

119

020

021

022

023

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 160 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 6 cm
Lower quarter: 15 cm
Median: 23 cm
Upper quarter: 28 cm
Largest: 41 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main Tory Brook

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Bullhead

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 →