RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Pendle Water

Largest measured european eel: 60 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Pendle Water was 60 cm, recorded at Barrowford on 27 July 2022.

Across 183 measured european eel, the median measured length was 30 cm.

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation29 August 2025Barrowford Downstream Heritage Centre · 10 fish
Largest measured european eel
60 cm
Median length
30 cm
Fish measured
183
Survey locations
14

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
60 cm27 Jul 2022Barrowford161360
60 cm27 Jul 2022Barrowford161360
60 cm4 Aug 1999Montford114629
60 cm16 Jun 1993Barrowford Downstream Heritage Centre114623
58.7 cm29 Aug 2025Barrowford Downstream Heritage Centre180052
58 cm18 Sept 2014Montford143601
58 cm13 Jul 2010Montford122745
57 cm24 Jun 2013Barrowford Downstream Heritage Centre137493
56 cm27 Jul 2022Barrowford161360
56 cm13 Jul 2010Montford122745

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
Barrowford Downstream Heritage Centre21 Oct 198829 Aug 202512
Wilton Street12 Jul 201029 Jun 20234
Montford29 Jun 199327 Jun 20238
Barrowford12 Jul 199927 Jul 20223
Lomeshaye21 Jun 199310 Aug 20164
North Farm10 Sept 201410 Sept 20141
Cockpit Hill Farm12 Jul 201010 Sept 20143
Monkhey Farm26 Jun 199310 Aug 19992
Downstream M6510 Aug 199910 Aug 19991
Newbridge, Behind Nelson and Colne College4 Aug 19994 Aug 19991
Rough Lee15 Jun 199312 Jul 19992
Riversmead Upstream M6529 Jun 199329 Jun 19931
Water Meeting ptc Blako Water16 Jun 199316 Jun 19931
Thorney Holme15 Jun 199315 Jun 19931

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

1988–2025

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 183 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
15 cm
Lower quarter
25.5 cm
Median
30 cm
Upper quarter
41 cm
Largest
60 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Pendle Water

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

Brown / sea trout 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 →