European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Chelmer

Largest measured european eel: 86.9 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 86.9 cm, recorded at Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal) on 11 June 2009.

Across 2,371 measured european eel, the median measured length was 44 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 2,367 european eel. The median was 5.1 oz (0.145 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 3 lb 1 oz (1.39 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 Chelmer.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation1 October 2025Warners Farm · 1 fish

Largest measured european eel: 86.9 cm
Median length: 44 cm
Fish measured: 2,371
Survey locations: 38

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
86.9 cm	11 Jun 2009	Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)	117445
81.5 cm	14 Oct 2004	Hoe Mill	84143
77 cm	20 Aug 2007	Felstead A	106407
76.5 cm	29 Sept 2004	Churchend FGS	84156
76 cm	12 Oct 2004	Upstream Beeleigh Lock	84150
75.5 cm	18 Jun 2013	Hoe Mill Cut	137693
75.5 cm	9 Aug 2004	Downstream Croxtons	84145
74.9 cm	21 Aug 2007	Langleys Dunmow	106405
74.1 cm	13 Aug 2010	Warners Farm	123458
74 cm	6 Aug 2004	Upstream Croxtons	84121

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
Warners Farm	2 Sept 1986	1 Oct 2025	8
A12 Bridge (C&B Canal)	11 Jul 1986	9 Jul 2025	13
Barnes Mill	10 Jul 1986	4 Jul 2025	20
Downstream Paper Mills	26 Jun 1986	26 Jun 2025	19
Brookend	9 Jul 1986	25 Jun 2025	19
Cuton Hall	8 Jul 1986	16 Jun 2025	14
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)	30 Jun 1986	13 Jun 2025	19
Hoe Mill Cut	27 Jun 1986	12 Jun 2025	14
Sugar Mills	20 Jun 1986	6 Jun 2025	19
Downstream Ricketts Lock	23 Jun 1986	5 Jun 2025	13
Chelmsford Viaduct	14 Oct 1983	7 Nov 2019	13
Ricketts Cut	25 Jun 1986	26 Jun 2019	12
Upstream Beeleigh Lock	30 Sept 1992	3 Nov 2010	7
Gasworks Reach	16 Dec 1992	28 Oct 2010	7
Littley Park	4 Sept 1986	23 Sept 2010	5
Absol Bridge	26 Sept 1983	21 Sept 2010	7
Springfield	11 Oct 1983	25 Aug 2010	10
Langley Waltham	11 Sept 1989	20 Aug 2010	3
Sandford Cut	14 Jul 1986	29 Jun 2010	9
Ulting Church	19 Jun 1986	23 Jun 2010	9
Kings Mill	3 Jul 1986	16 Jun 2010	8
Upstream Sandford Lock	20 Oct 1989	1 Nov 2007	7
Sandford	2 Nov 1992	30 Oct 2007	6
Downstream Stonhams Lock	29 Oct 1986	26 Oct 2007	7
Upstream Paper Mills	17 Oct 1989	25 Oct 2007	7
Cuton Lock	19 Oct 1989	22 Oct 2007	7
Upstream Ricketts Lock	17 Oct 1986	19 Oct 2007	7
Upstream Rushes Lock	2 Oct 1992	18 Oct 2007	6
Hoe Mill	20 Oct 1986	17 Oct 2007	8
Langleys Dunmow	21 Sept 1983	21 Aug 2007	7
Felstead A	23 Sept 1983	20 Aug 2007	8
Camsix Farm A	28 Sept 1983	15 Aug 2007	6
Upstream Croxtons	10 Oct 1983	13 Aug 2007	9
Downstream Croxtons	7 Oct 1983	10 Aug 2007	9
Hoffmans Mill	12 Oct 1983	2 Aug 2007	9
Churchend FGS	19 Sept 1983	29 Sept 2004	6
Little Waltham	4 Oct 1983	6 Aug 2001	7
Camsix Farm B	28 Sept 1983	28 Sept 1983	1

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

1983–2025

Survey records by year

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

1283

084

085

2986

087

088

2789

090

091

3592

093

094

3595

096

097

3298

099

000

3201

502

503

2904

505

606

3107

508

509

2110

011

012

1113

014

015

1116

017

018

1119

020

021

822

023

024

1025

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 2,371 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 9 cm
Lower quarter: 36.4 cm
Median: 44 cm
Upper quarter: 51.2 cm
Largest: 86.9 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

168

300–399 mm

626

400–499 mm

831

500–599 mm

541

600–699 mm

125

700–799 mm

800–899 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 2,367 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: 5.1 oz (0.145 kg)
Upper quarter: 8.7 oz (0.247 kg)
Heaviest: 3 lb 1 oz (1.39 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 Chelmer

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

Chub Roach Pike Dace Gudgeon 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 →