RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Brett (Main Reaches)

Largest measured european eel: 66.2 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Brett (Main Reaches) was 66.2 cm, recorded at Hadleigh STW on 6 April 2006.

Across 560 measured european eel, the median measured length was 36.9 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 559 european eel. The median was 2.7 oz (0.077 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 2.4 oz (0.523 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 Brett (Main Reaches).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation9 April 2026Waterhouse Farm · 30 fish
Largest measured european eel
66.2 cm
Median length
36.9 cm
Fish measured
560
Survey locations
14

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
66.2 cm6 Apr 2006Hadleigh STW90710
65 cm28 Mar 2006Waterhouse Farm90515
64.4 cm25 Apr 2024Waterhouse Farm165727
63.9 cm26 Apr 2018Chelsworth154029
62.7 cm19 Apr 2018Hadleigh Town152615
62.5 cm6 Apr 2006Hadleigh STW90710
61.9 cm6 Apr 2006Hadleigh STW90710
61.3 cm24 Apr 2018Higham FGS152541
61 cm6 Apr 2006Hadleigh STW90710
60.7 cm26 Apr 2024Hadleigh Town165728

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
Waterhouse Farm18 Mar 19829 Apr 202616
Higham FGS1 Apr 19827 Apr 202616
Hadleigh Town9 Mar 198226 Apr 202411
Chelsworth11 Mar 198826 Apr 20187
Hadleigh STW16 Mar 198230 Sept 20139
Semer A16 Feb 198225 Sept 20139
Cosford Bridge17 Feb 198218 Apr 20129
Cherry Hill26 Feb 198820 Apr 20066
Peyton Hall19 Feb 198210 Apr 20068
Downstream Mill Farm25 Mar 19825 Apr 20068
Upstream Mill Farm24 Mar 198229 Mar 20068
Cobbolds Mill20 Mar 19857 Apr 20006
Semer B (Dairy Farm - River Brett)17 Feb 198213 Dec 19842
Bridge Farm Chelsworth12 Feb 198212 Feb 19821

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

1982–2026

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 560 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9.5 cm
Lower quarter
28.8 cm
Median
36.9 cm
Upper quarter
46.3 cm
Largest
66.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 559 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
1.3 oz (0.036 kg)
Median
2.7 oz (0.077 kg)
Upper quarter
5.5 oz (0.156 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 2.4 oz (0.523 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 Brett (Main Reaches)

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

Pike Roach Gudgeon Dace Perch Bullhead

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 →