European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Old River Lea

Largest measured european eel: 77 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Old River Lea was 77 cm, recorded at Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery) on 17 December 2004.

Across 100 measured european eel, the median measured length was 38.6 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Old River Lea.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation21 May 2026Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery) · 3 fish

Largest measured european eel: 77 cm
Median length: 38.6 cm
Fish measured: 100
Survey locations: 1

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
77 cm	17 Dec 2004	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	83744
75.8 cm	9 Apr 2013	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	135811
75 cm	17 Dec 2004	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	83744
74 cm	30 Apr 2019	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	154472
74 cm	17 Dec 2004	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	83744
73 cm	9 May 2008	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	110971
67.5 cm	1 May 2007	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	105396
66 cm	5 May 2010	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	121479
65.1 cm	13 May 2015	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	144661
62 cm	17 Dec 2004	Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	83744

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
Cornmill Meadows 3 (Mile Nursery)	17 Dec 2004	21 May 2026	15

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

2004–2026

Survey records by year

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

104

005

006

107

108

109

110

011

012

113

014

115

116

117

118

119

020

021

022

123

124

125

126

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 100 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 10 cm
Lower quarter: 29.9 cm
Median: 38.7 cm
Upper quarter: 49 cm
Largest: 77 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Old River Lea

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

Perch Roach Chub Pike Tench 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 →