RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Blackwater

Largest measured european eel: 85 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Blackwater was 85 cm, recorded at Coggeshall on 26 September 2002.

Across 1,963 measured european eel, the median measured length was 45 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 1,934 european eel. The median was 5.3 oz (0.1505 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2 lb 12.1 oz (1.25 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 Blackwater.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation12 October 2023Smallands Hall · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
85 cm
Median length
45 cm
Fish measured
1,963
Survey locations
24

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
85 cm26 Sept 2002Coggeshall66121
80.5 cm19 Sept 2005Pointwell Mill86489
80 cm7 Oct 2002Downstream Braxted Hall67360
78.6 cm11 Sept 2007Coggeshall106630
78.5 cm13 Oct 2009Coggeshall120710
77.2 cm18 Sept 2017Kelvedon Coalyard152423
76.5 cm5 Sept 2007Kelvedon Coalyard106617
76.5 cm24 Sept 2002West Mill65940
76 cm24 Sept 2002West Mill65940
75.8 cm31 Oct 2005Stock Hall87391

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
Smallands Hall10 Aug 198412 Oct 202313
Braxted FGS6 Aug 198411 Oct 202320
Upstream Braxted Hall8 Aug 19847 Oct 202313
Greys Mill20 Jul 19844 Oct 202313
Saint Marys Road27 Jul 19843 Oct 202312
Stock Hall13 Aug 19841 Oct 202313
Blue Mills9 Aug 198428 Sept 202319
Kelvedon Coalyard31 Jul 198423 Sept 202320
Rye Mill14 Apr 198721 Sept 202311
Bradwell Hall23 Jul 198419 Sept 20239
Stisted FGS13 Jul 19844 Sept 201715
Upstream Langford Intake26 Jul 201326 Jul 20131
Pointwell Mill24 Jul 198421 Sept 201110
Coggeshall18 Jul 198414 Sept 201115
Langford14 Aug 19849 Oct 20088
Downstream Braxted Hall7 Aug 198430 Sept 20089
Ashmans Farm3 Aug 198419 Sept 20089
Feeringbury Hall26 Jul 198415 Sept 20089
West Mill27 Feb 19878 Sept 20088
Lyons Hall (River Blackwater)10 Jul 19842 Sept 20086
Hobbs Meadow11 Jul 198425 Aug 20053
Dorewards Hall27 Mar 199023 Aug 20053
Bradwell Bridge12 Jul 198416 Sept 19996
Covenbrook Hall7 May 198713 May 19933

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

1984–2023

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 1,963 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9.8 cm
Lower quarter
36.9 cm
Median
45 cm
Upper quarter
52.9 cm
Largest
85 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 1,934 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
2.8 oz (0.079 kg)
Median
5.3 oz (0.1505 kg)
Upper quarter
9 oz (0.256 kg)
Heaviest
2 lb 12.1 oz (1.25 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 Blackwater

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

Roach Chub Gudgeon Perch Dace Pike

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 →