RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Deben (Main Reaches)

Largest measured european eel: 55.1 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Deben (Main Reaches) was 55.1 cm, recorded at Upstream Kettleburgh on 27 April 2010.

Across 172 measured european eel, the median measured length was 25.9 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 172 european eel. The median was 1 oz (0.028 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 11.5 oz (0.325 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 Deben (Main Reaches).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation21 April 2026Upstream Cretingham · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
55.1 cm
Median length
25.9 cm
Fish measured
172
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
55.1 cm27 Apr 2010Upstream Kettleburgh121578
53.4 cm30 Apr 2024Ufford164871
53.2 cm10 Apr 2025Upstream Cretingham177616
51.1 cm19 Apr 2024Upstream Cretingham164870
50.3 cm27 Apr 2010Upstream Kettleburgh121578
48 cm19 Apr 2024Upstream Cretingham164870
47.6 cm14 Apr 2025Ufford177611
46.6 cm21 Apr 2022Upstream Kettleburgh162189
45.3 cm7 Apr 2004Upstream Cretingham103947
43.9 cm21 Apr 2026Upstream Cretingham181042

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
Upstream Cretingham25 Nov 198721 Apr 202610
Downstream Glevering Hall7 Dec 198714 Apr 20267
Ufford4 Jun 199114 Apr 20257
Upstream Kettleburgh15 Dec 198721 Apr 20228
Downstream Wickham Market9 Dec 198729 Apr 20105
Low Farm 217 Dec 199726 Mar 20042
Upstream Glovering House3 Mar 20043 Mar 20041
Naunton Hall to Loudham Mill25 Feb 200425 Feb 20041
Low Farm to Ufford Mill20 Feb 200420 Feb 20041
Melton Mill to Ufford Mill19 Feb 200419 Feb 20041
Doves Farm5 Feb 19985 Feb 19981
Brandeston School3 Feb 19983 Feb 19981
Loudham Decoy11 May 19918 Dec 19973
Naunton Hall Farm14 Dec 19872 Dec 19974
Low Farm10 Dec 19871 Dec 19974
Melton Sluice11 Dec 198727 Nov 19974
Upstream Wickham Market8 Dec 19872 Aug 19943
Easton Farm Park2 Dec 19872 Aug 19943

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

1987–2026

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 172 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9.3 cm
Lower quarter
20.5 cm
Median
25.9 cm
Upper quarter
34.7 cm
Largest
55.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 172 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.0006 kg)
Lower quarter
0.5 oz (0.013 kg)
Median
1 oz (0.028 kg)
Upper quarter
2.2 oz (0.0632 kg)
Heaviest
11.5 oz (0.325 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 Deben (Main Reaches)

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

Roach Pike Perch Stone loach Dace Gudgeon

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 →