RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Derwent

Largest measured european eel: 55 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Derwent was 55 cm, recorded at 1539.00 US of Seaton, River Derwent on 30 July 2004.

Across 224 measured european eel, the median measured length was 17.5 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 Derwent.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation1 July 20251597.00 Isel Hall, Blumer Beck, River Derwent · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
55 cm
Median length
17.5 cm
Fish measured
224
Survey locations
20

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 cm30 Jul 20041539.00 US of Seaton, River Derwent82986
50 cm5 Sept 20141521.00 Longthwaite, River Derwent142670
50 cm24 Jun 20081760.45 Opp Gate into field, Mill Stream116090
50 cm25 Jul 20021520.00 Thorneythwaite, River Derwent66760
48 cm26 Aug 20101521.00 Longthwaite, River Derwent124507
47 cm6 Jul 20231521.00 Longthwaite, River Derwent162676
42.5 cm30 Jul 20041536.00 At Great Broughton, River Derwent82982
42.5 cm30 Jul 20041536.00 At Great Broughton, River Derwent82982
42 cm7 Jul 20141538.80 River Derwent DS Camerton Church141832
40 cm22 Jul 20111590.00 Dubwath Beck, Wythop Beck129188

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
1597.00 Isel Hall, Blumer Beck, River Derwent23 Jul 20041 Jul 20259
1595.00 Coal Beck, River Derwent26 Jul 20047 Jul 20234
1565.00 Applethwaite Gill, River Derwent15 Jul 20026 Jul 20234
1521.00 Longthwaite, River Derwent26 Aug 20106 Jul 20234
1520.00 Thorneythwaite, River Derwent25 Jul 20025 Jul 20236
1519.65 Seathwaite, River Derwent30 Jul 20025 Jul 20234
1590.00 Dubwath Beck, Wythop Beck15 Jul 200220 Jul 20175
1596.00 Blumer Bridge, Blumer Beck4 Sept 201312 Sept 20162
1538.80 River Derwent DS Camerton Church7 Jul 20147 Jul 20141
1545.92 Springs Frm, DS barrier, Brockle Beck16 Oct 200916 Oct 20091
1545.87 DS footbridge at top barrier, Brockle Bec16 Oct 200916 Oct 20091
1545.86 US Footbridge, top barrier, Brockle Beck16 Oct 200916 Oct 20091
1760.50 From Footbridge, Mill Stream24 Jun 200824 Jun 20081
1760.45 Opp Gate into field, Mill Stream24 Jun 200824 Jun 20081
1762.00 Cloffocks Beck7 Jun 20067 Jun 20061
1761.00 Cloffocks Beck7 Jun 20067 Jun 20061
1539.00 US of Seaton, River Derwent30 Jul 200430 Jul 20041
1536.00 At Great Broughton, River Derwent30 Jul 200430 Jul 20041
1528.00 US of Barkhouse Weir, River Derwent30 Jul 200430 Jul 20041
1522.00 Grange, River Derwent25 Jul 200225 Jul 20021

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

2002–2025

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 224 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9 cm
Lower quarter
11.5 cm
Median
17.5 cm
Upper quarter
27.5 cm
Largest
55 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Derwent

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout

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 →