RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Box (Main Reaches)

Largest measured european eel: 62.3 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Box (Main Reaches) was 62.3 cm, recorded at Scotland Street on 17 May 2024.

Across 639 measured european eel, the median measured length was 29 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 639 european eel. The median was 1.2 oz (0.034 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 3.8 oz (0.562 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 Box (Main Reaches).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation22 May 2026Stour Confluence · 17 fish
Largest measured european eel
62.3 cm
Median length
29 cm
Fish measured
639
Survey locations
7

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
62.3 cm17 May 2024Scotland Street165731
62.2 cm14 May 2018Polstead Ford152647
62 cm5 May 2015Peyton Hall Farm144662
61.3 cm9 May 2012Peyton Hall Farm131669
61.1 cm17 May 2024Scotland Street165731
60.1 cm21 May 2026Scotland Street181411
59 cm18 May 2018Peyton Hall Farm152648
58 cm18 May 2018Peyton Hall Farm152648
57.9 cm17 May 2022Scotland Street161830
57 cm22 Apr 2015Stour Confluence144638

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
Stour Confluence16 Sept 198122 May 202618
Scotland Street26 Mar 198521 May 202616
Polstead Mill27 Mar 198511 Jun 202411
Stone Street29 Mar 19857 Jun 202412
Peyton Hall Farm25 Apr 19916 Jun 20248
Thorington Mill25 Mar 19858 May 202411
Polstead Ford28 Mar 19857 May 202411

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

1981–2026

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 639 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9.9 cm
Lower quarter
22.1 cm
Median
29 cm
Upper quarter
36.1 cm
Largest
62.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 639 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.0009 kg)
Lower quarter
0.5 oz (0.015 kg)
Median
1.2 oz (0.034 kg)
Upper quarter
2.6 oz (0.074 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 3.8 oz (0.562 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 Box (Main Reaches)

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

Brown / sea trout Stone loach Dace Roach Chub 3-spined stickleback

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 →