RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Adur East Arm

Largest measured european eel: 74 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Adur East Arm was 74 cm, recorded at Vale Bridge on 16 June 1997.

Across 144 measured european eel, the median measured length was 40.4 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 73 european eel. The median was 5 oz (0.141 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 8.7 oz (0.7 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation7 May 2026Wortleford Bridge · 8 fish
Largest measured european eel
74 cm
Median length
40.4 cm
Fish measured
144
Survey locations
10

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
74 cm16 Jun 1997Vale Bridge72524
64 cm9 Aug 2006Stairbridge Lane102305
63 cm5 Aug 2015Downstream Wineham Bridge145748
62.1 cm17 Sept 1997Upstream Mock Bridge72604
62 cm18 Aug 2005Stairbridge Lane87495
60 cm24 Apr 2014U/s Twineham Footbridge140691
60 cm18 Aug 2005Stairbridge Lane87495
58 cm10 Jul 2024U/s Twineham Footbridge165894
58 cm5 Aug 2015Downstream Wineham Bridge145748
57.1 cm4 Sept 2012Downstream Wineham Bridge133874

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
Wortleford Bridge15 May 20147 May 20262
Burgess Hill STW8 Aug 20025 Aug 20256
Downstream Wineham Bridge18 Aug 199722 Aug 20247
Nymans Farm, Shermanbury4 Aug 201517 Jul 20243
Hookers Farm28 Aug 200211 Jul 20244
U/s Twineham Footbridge24 Apr 201410 Jul 20243
Stairbridge Lane28 Jul 199714 Aug 201810
Shermanbury5 Sept 200223 Jul 20084
Vale Bridge16 Jun 199723 Jul 20022
Upstream Mock Bridge17 Sept 199717 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 144 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
16 cm
Lower quarter
31.6 cm
Median
40.4 cm
Upper quarter
48.6 cm
Largest
74 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 73 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.2 oz (0.006 kg)
Lower quarter
2.2 oz (0.063 kg)
Median
5 oz (0.141 kg)
Upper quarter
8.6 oz (0.245 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 8.7 oz (0.7 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Adur East Arm

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

Perch Roach Chub Gudgeon Pike 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 →