RiverFish

Smelt · Osmerus eperlanus

Smelt in the Relief Channel

Largest measured smelt: 16.3 cm

The largest smelt measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Relief Channel was 16.3 cm, recorded at Tail Sluice on 17 September 1993.

Across 808 measured smelt, the median measured length was 10.8 cm.

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

See smelt records across England →

Most recent observation17 September 1993Tail Sluice · 1 fish
Largest measured smelt
16.3 cm
Median length
10.8 cm
Fish measured
808
Survey locations
12

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured smelt

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
16.3 cm17 Sept 1993Tail Sluice30275
12.8 cm11 Oct 1991Saddlebow Bridge30262
12.8 cm8 Oct 1991Magdalen Bridge30259
12.8 cm2 Oct 1991Stow Bridge30256
12.3 cm15 Oct 1991Tail Sluice30263
12.3 cm15 Oct 1991Tail Sluice30263
12.3 cm15 Oct 1991Tail Sluice30263
12.3 cm15 Oct 1991Tail Sluice30263
12.3 cm15 Oct 1991Tail Sluice30263
12.3 cm15 Oct 1991Tail Sluice30263

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where smelt were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one smelt 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 smelt
Tail Sluice15 Oct 199117 Sept 19932
Wiggenhall Bridge3 Oct 198815 Sept 19933
Stow Bridge8 Sept 19887 Sept 19933
DS Downham Bridge6 Sept 19883 Sept 19933
Denver Sluice5 Sept 198814 Oct 19912
Saddlebow Bridge27 Sept 198811 Oct 19912
Polver Farm Magdalen9 Oct 19919 Oct 19911
Magdalen Bridge16 Sept 19888 Oct 19912
Holme Farm Magdalen30 Sept 19884 Oct 19912
DS Stow Bridge8 Sept 19883 Oct 19912
Downham Market STW7 Sept 19881 Oct 19912
Downham Bridge6 Oct 198826 Sept 19912

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

1988–1993

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded smelt that year.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 808 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
6.3 cm
Lower quarter
10.3 cm
Median
10.8 cm
Upper quarter
11.3 cm
Largest
16.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Relief Channel

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

Perch Roach Ruffe Zander Pike European eel

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 →