European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Chess

Largest measured european eel: 99.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chess was 99.5 cm, recorded at Mountwood Ford on 24 September 2015.

Across 22 measured european eel, the median measured length was 76.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 6 european eel. The median was 9.3 oz (0.2645 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2 lb 2.1 oz (0.967 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 Chess.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation22 September 2022Solesbridge nursery · 1 fish

Largest measured european eel: 99.5 cm
Median length: 76.5 cm
Fish measured: 22
Survey locations: 5

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
99.5 cm	24 Sept 2015	Mountwood Ford	146692
97.4 cm	22 Sept 2022	Solesbridge nursery	162948
95 cm	14 Sept 2010	Solesbridge nursery	123837
91.1 cm	24 Sept 2015	Solesbridge nursery	146693
90 cm	21 Sept 2012	Solesbridge nursery	133921
87.3 cm	25 Sept 2019	Solesbridge nursery	155726
80 cm	14 Sept 2010	Solesbridge nursery	123837
79 cm	16 May 2007	Solesbridge nursery	105337
78 cm	14 Jul 2004	Solesbridge nursery	80511
77.2 cm	14 Jul 2004	Solesbridge nursery	80511

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
Solesbridge nursery	14 Jul 2004	22 Sept 2022	7
Mountwood Ford	1 Dec 1987	24 Sept 2015	3
Loudwater Lane	11 Jul 2006	11 Jul 2006	1
Solesbridge mill	19 Jun 2006	19 Jun 2006	1
British Fresian Society	4 Dec 1987	4 Dec 1987	1

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

1987–2022

Survey records by year

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

287

088

089

090

091

092

093

094

095

096

097

098

099

000

001

002

003

104

005

206

207

008

009

110

011

112

013

014

215

016

017

018

119

020

021

122

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 22 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 33 cm
Lower quarter: 67 cm
Median: 76.5 cm
Upper quarter: 85.5 cm
Largest: 99.5 cm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

800–899 mm

900–999 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 6 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 2.2 oz (0.063 kg)
Lower quarter: 4 oz (0.112 kg)
Median: 9.3 oz (0.2645 kg)
Upper quarter: 1 lb 2.2 oz (0.5168 kg)
Heaviest: 2 lb 2.1 oz (0.967 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 Chess

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Stone loach Minnow 3-spined stickleback Grayling

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 →