RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Calder

Largest measured european eel: 56 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Calder was 56 cm, recorded at North Padiham on 7 July 1993.

Across 321 measured european eel, the median measured length was 30 cm.

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation29 August 2025Downstream Altham Bridge · 15 fish
Largest measured european eel
56 cm
Median length
30 cm
Fish measured
321
Survey locations
18

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
56 cm7 Jul 1993North Padiham114671
53 cm24 Jun 2013Downstream Altham Bridge137489
53 cm26 Jul 2011Upstream A59 Road Bridge127132
53 cm6 Jul 1993Stoneyholme M65 Bridge114707
52 cm18 Sept 2014Gawthorpe Hall143602
52 cm11 Sept 2014Upstream Pendle Hall142708
52 cm30 Jun 1993Townley Park Golf Course114703
51 cm16 Jul 2014Upstream A59 Road Bridge142298
50 cm24 Aug 2018Downstream Altham Bridge153214
50 cm16 Jul 2014Upstream A59 Road Bridge142298

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
Downstream Altham Bridge24 Jun 201329 Aug 202510
Upstream A59 Road Bridge18 May 20101 Jul 20249
Pendle Hall21 May 19843 Jul 20238
Foxcroft13 Jul 201016 Sept 20213
Inghams Farm ptc Pendle Water6 Jul 199321 Aug 20153
Gawthorpe Hall14 Jul 201018 Sept 20142
Lune Street, Padiham14 Jul 201012 Sept 20143
Upstream Pendle Hall14 Jul 201011 Sept 20142
North Padiham7 Jul 199321 Jul 20113
Downstream Black Clough16 Jul 200416 Jul 20041
Upstream Altham bridge21 May 19844 Aug 20032
Downstream A59 Road Bridge23 Apr 19858 Sept 19992
Townley High School27 Jul 199927 Jul 19991
Downstream Home Farm27 Jul 199927 Jul 19991
Padiham Power Station7 Jul 19937 Jul 19931
Padiham Bowling Club7 Jul 19937 Jul 19931
Stoneyholme M65 Bridge6 Jul 19936 Jul 19931
Townley Park Golf Course30 Jun 199330 Jun 19931

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

1984–2025

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 321 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
11 cm
Lower quarter
24 cm
Median
30 cm
Upper quarter
37 cm
Largest
56 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Calder

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Chub Gudgeon Roach Perch

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 →