European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Alre

Largest measured european eel: 69.8 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Alre was 69.8 cm, recorded at Arle 1: Arle Mill on 21 September 2015.

Across 119 measured european eel, the median measured length was 42.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 10 european eel. The median was 5.9 oz (0.166 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 14.1 oz (0.4 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 Alre.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation11 August 2025Arle 1: Arle Mill · 3 fish

Largest measured european eel: 69.8 cm
Median length: 42.5 cm
Fish measured: 119
Survey locations: 4

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
69.8 cm	21 Sept 2015	Arle 1: Arle Mill	146728
68.5 cm	23 Sept 2009	Arle 1: Arle Mill	119227
68 cm	11 Aug 2025	Arle 1: Arle Mill	177878
66.4 cm	10 Sept 2013	Arle 1: Arle Mill	138556
64.5 cm	29 Sept 2015	Arle 2: d/s Drove Lane	146906
63.5 cm	10 Sept 2013	Arle 1: Arle Mill	138556
63 cm	15 Aug 2019	Arle 1: Arle Mill	155226
62 cm	29 Sept 2015	Arle 4: d/s Eel House	146985
62 cm	23 Sept 2009	Arle 4: d/s Eel House	120569
62 cm	23 Sept 2009	Arle 4: d/s Eel House	120569

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
Arle 1: Arle Mill	23 Sept 2009	11 Aug 2025	9
Arle 4: d/s Eel House	23 Sept 2009	29 Sept 2015	2
Arle 2: d/s Drove Lane	3 Sept 2002	29 Sept 2015	3
Franklins trout farm	6 May 2003	6 May 2003	1

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

2002–2025

Survey records by year

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

102

103

004

005

006

007

008

309

010

111

012

113

014

315

016

117

018

119

020

121

022

123

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 119 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 16.6 cm
Lower quarter: 32.1 cm
Median: 42.5 cm
Upper quarter: 54.2 cm
Largest: 69.8 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 10 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.8 oz (0.022 kg)
Lower quarter: 1.5 oz (0.0425 kg)
Median: 5.9 oz (0.166 kg)
Upper quarter: 10.2 oz (0.2895 kg)
Heaviest: 14.1 oz (0.4 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 Alre

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

Bullhead Brown / sea trout Pike Brook lamprey 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 →