RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Dearne

Largest measured european eel: 72.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Dearne was 72.5 cm, recorded at Downstream Broomhill bridge on 11 July 2005.

Across 70 measured european eel, the median measured length was 40.4 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 Dearne.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation2 July 2026Darfield (expanded 2016) · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
72.5 cm
Median length
40.4 cm
Fish measured
70
Survey locations
10

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
72.5 cm11 Jul 2005Downstream Broomhill bridge87838
65.7 cm22 Jun 2010Downstream Broomhill bridge124923
65.3 cm26 Jun 2006Downstream Broomhill bridge101707
64 cm17 Jun 2008Downstream Broomhill bridge114564
60.8 cm22 Jun 2010Downstream Broomhill bridge124923
60 cm21 Jun 2017Adwick-on-Dearne150663
60 cm18 Sept 2004Downstream Broomhill bridge83025
59.5 cm23 Jun 2010Darfield (expanded 2016)124926
58 cm26 Jun 2006Old Moor upstream site101696
56.4 cm6 Sept 2011Scisset - (previously JS Auckland Spares)128703

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
Darfield (expanded 2016)23 Jun 20102 Jul 20265
meanders u/s Pastures Bridge6 Oct 198218 Jun 202619
Downstream Broomhill bridge27 Jul 199921 Jun 201711
Adwick-on-Dearne23 Jun 201121 Jun 20172
Darfield Fish Pass26 Jul 201226 Jul 20121
Scisset - (previously JS Auckland Spares)6 Sept 20116 Sept 20111
Darfield (Top Weir)20 Jun 201120 Jun 20111
Old Moor upstream site26 Jun 200626 Jun 20061
Broomhill4 Dec 199126 Sept 19942
Pastures Bridge4 Dec 19914 Dec 19911

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 70 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
20 cm
Lower quarter
30 cm
Median
40.4 cm
Upper quarter
50 cm
Largest
72.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Dearne

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

3-spined stickleback Gudgeon Brown / sea trout Chub Roach Minnow

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 →