European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Colne

Largest measured european eel: 92.6 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Colne was 92.6 cm, recorded at Cricket Ground on 11 May 2010.

Across 1,605 measured european eel, the median measured length was 39.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 1,603 european eel. The median was 3.5 oz (0.099 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 4 lb 0.4 oz (1.83 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 Colne.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation16 June 2026Blue Bridge · 2 fish

Largest measured european eel: 92.6 cm
Median length: 39.5 cm
Fish measured: 1,605
Survey locations: 31

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
92.6 cm	11 May 2010	Cricket Ground	121639
90.5 cm	6 May 2010	Earls Colne FGS	121650
89 cm	14 Jun 2002	Earls Colne FGS	61282
85.2 cm	6 May 2008	Cricket Ground	111125
80 cm	9 Jun 2005	Brook Street Farm	86380
78 cm	9 Jul 2002	Halstead	52188
76 cm	11 Jul 2002	Brook Street Farm	53503
75 cm	11 Jul 2002	Brook Street Farm	53503
75 cm	4 Jul 2002	Blue Bridge	60040
75 cm	18 Jun 2002	Cooks Mill	61130

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
Blue Bridge	12 Apr 1984	16 Jun 2026	14
Nunnery Bridge	4 May 1984	11 Jun 2026	11
Brook Street Farm	10 Sept 1987	10 Jun 2026	11
Box Mill	1 Sept 1987	3 Jun 2026	10
Wakes Colne Viaduct	14 Aug 1987	2 Jun 2026	20
Fordstreet	11 May 1984	14 May 2026	14
Spring Lane	16 May 1984	7 May 2026	21
Earls Colne FGS	13 Apr 1984	6 May 2026	18
Cooks Mill	18 May 1984	28 Apr 2026	14
Downstream New Bridge	17 May 1984	8 Jun 2023	12
Broom House	14 May 1984	7 Jun 2023	12
Chalkney Mill	17 Apr 1984	2 Jun 2023	11
Cricket Ground	28 Jul 1987	24 May 2023	18
North Bridge	29 Jul 1987	29 Apr 2014	17
Upstream A12 Bridge (Silver eel)	4 Jan 2012	6 Jan 2012	2
Lexden FGS Upstream (Silver eel)	2 Dec 2011	4 Jan 2012	2
Maplestead Mill	10 Apr 1984	8 Jun 2011	9
Poole Street	3 May 1984	19 Jun 2008	7
Swanscombe Farm	18 Apr 1984	18 Jun 2008	9
The Hedinghams	8 May 1984	16 Jun 2008	8
Halstead	24 Sept 1987	10 Jun 2008	6
Earls Colne Mill	16 Apr 1984	6 Jun 2008	9
Elms Hall	20 Aug 1987	5 Jun 2008	7
Fiddlers Mill	11 Aug 1987	2 Jun 2008	7
Upstream A12 Bridge	21 May 1984	13 May 2008	9
Bathing Pool	25 Jul 1990	9 May 2008	7
Castle Park	23 May 1984	7 May 2008	8
Alderford Mill	9 May 1984	29 Jun 2005	7
Great Porters Farm	22 Sept 1993	22 Sept 1993	1
Upstream Blue Bridge	17 Sept 1990	16 Sept 1993	2
Does Corner	19 Sept 1990	19 Sept 1990	1

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

1984–2026

Survey records by year

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

1784

085

086

2587

088

089

2490

091

092

2493

094

095

2596

097

098

2699

000

501

2502

403

504

2205

506

507

2308

509

510

1511

312

013

1214

015

016

817

018

019

020

021

022

1223

024

025

926

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 1,605 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 11.6 cm
Lower quarter: 31.6 cm
Median: 39.5 cm
Upper quarter: 47.5 cm
Largest: 92.6 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

293

300–399 mm

484

400–499 mm

498

500–599 mm

205

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 1,603 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.1 oz (0.002 kg)
Lower quarter: 1.7 oz (0.048 kg)
Median: 3.5 oz (0.099 kg)
Upper quarter: 6.7 oz (0.19 kg)
Heaviest: 4 lb 0.4 oz (1.83 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 Colne

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

Roach Gudgeon Dace Pike Perch Stone loach

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 →