RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Esk

Largest measured european eel: 66.7 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Esk was 66.7 cm, recorded at 1.0.2 Commondale Beck at Cleveland Inn on 22 August 2011.

Across 84 measured european eel, the median measured length was 24.9 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 Esk.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation2 October 20256.0 Toll Road, Grosmont ESK/SA/Q/003 · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
66.7 cm
Median length
24.9 cm
Fish measured
84
Survey locations
24

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
66.7 cm22 Aug 20111.0.2 Commondale Beck at Cleveland Inn128543
60 cm8 Oct 20245.0 Limber Hill167510
55.7 cm22 Aug 20111.0.2 Commondale Beck at Cleveland Inn128543
55 cm27 Sept 2018u/s Dibbles Bridge153826
52 cm2 Oct 2023u/s Dibbles Bridge163523
50 cm25 Sept 20246.0 Toll Road, Grosmont ESK/SA/Q/003167335
50 cm25 Sept 20246.2 Grosmont Farm LHS167334
48.2 cm15 Sept 20104.0 Lealholm ESK/SA/Q/002124450
47.4 cm24 Aug 20114.0 Lealholm ESK/SA/Q/002128530
45 cm27 Sept 2018u/s Dibbles Bridge153826

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
6.0 Toll Road, Grosmont ESK/SA/Q/00314 Oct 19992 Oct 202515
5.0 Limber Hill15 Oct 19998 Oct 20244
Egton Bridge Riffle Site7 Oct 20247 Oct 20241
Low Newbiggin Riffle Site25 Sept 202425 Sept 20241
6.2 Grosmont Farm LHS24 Sept 201125 Sept 20243
Little beck15 Jun 200511 Oct 20234
u/s Dibbles Bridge27 Sept 20182 Oct 20233
7.0 Low Newbiggin20 Oct 200017 Oct 20173
3.2 Upstream Lealholm stepping stones13 Jun 200511 Oct 20172
1.0 Dibble Bridge ESK/SA/Q/00119 Oct 200019 Sept 20169
4.0 Lealholm ESK/SA/Q/0028 Oct 19991 Oct 201510
1.2.1 Danby Beck at Botton17 Sept 201417 Sept 20141
Sleddale Beck nr Train Station5 Sept 20135 Sept 20131
Sleddale Beck at Footbridge5 Sept 20135 Sept 20131
R.Esk at Hill House24 Aug 201124 Aug 20111
2.4 Lower 5b site24 Aug 201124 Aug 20111
2.1 Upper 5b site23 Aug 201123 Aug 20111
1.0.2 Commondale Beck at Cleveland Inn19 Oct 200022 Aug 20113
1.0.1 Baysdale Beck at Hob Hole22 Aug 201122 Aug 20111
4.3.1 Glaisdale Beck , Glaisdale17 Sept 200817 Sept 20081
2.2 Middle 5b site14 Jun 200514 Jun 20051
2.3 Shackleton Bridge13 Jun 200513 Jun 20051
2.0 Danby11 Oct 20012 Oct 20022
4.2.1 Stonegate Beck at Thornhill Farm15 Oct 199915 Oct 19991

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

1999–2025

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 84 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
7.1 cm
Lower quarter
19.4 cm
Median
24.9 cm
Upper quarter
35 cm
Largest
66.7 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Esk

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Stone loach Minnow 3-spined stickleback Brook lamprey

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 →