RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Don

Largest measured european eel: 54.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Don was 54.5 cm, recorded at River Don at Newtown Park on 11 September 2016.

Across 112 measured european eel, the median measured length was 20.9 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 Don.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation11 August 2023River Don at Hylton Grove Farm · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
54.5 cm
Median length
20.9 cm
Fish measured
112
Survey locations
9

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
54.5 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at Newtown Park149264
49.1 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at The Dene, Hedworth149267
48.2 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at The Dene, Hedworth149267
47.8 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at Newton Garths149266
45 cm11 Aug 2023River Don at Newtown Park164434
45 cm22 Sept 2016River Don d/s of A194149374
40.3 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at Newtown Park149264
39.5 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at The Dene, Hedworth149267
39.2 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at Newton Garths149266
37.5 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at The Dene, Hedworth149267

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
River Don at The Dene, Hedworth11 Sept 201611 Aug 20232
River Don at Newtown Park11 Sept 201611 Aug 20232
River Don at Hylton Grove Farm10 Sept 201611 Aug 20232
River Don d/s of A19422 Sept 201622 Sept 20161
River Don at East House Farm22 Sept 201622 Sept 20161
River Don at Newton Garths11 Sept 201611 Sept 20161
River Don at Boldon North bridge (d/s)11 Sept 201611 Sept 20161
River Don at New Town (West Boldon)10 Sept 201610 Sept 20161
North Moor Farm10 Sept 201610 Sept 20161

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

2016–2023

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 112 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9 cm
Lower quarter
15.5 cm
Median
20.9 cm
Upper quarter
31.8 cm
Largest
54.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Don

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

3-spined stickleback Brown / sea trout Dace

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 →