RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Gipping (Main Reaches)

Largest measured european eel: 74 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Gipping (Main Reaches) was 74 cm, recorded at Downstream Bramford Lock on 13 April 2004.

Across 1,419 measured european eel, the median measured length was 36.6 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 1,419 european eel. The median was 2.7 oz (0.077 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 12.9 oz (0.818 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 Gipping (Main Reaches).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation29 April 2025Sproughton Intake · 14 fish
Largest measured european eel
74 cm
Median length
36.6 cm
Fish measured
1,419
Survey locations
11

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
74 cm13 Apr 2004Downstream Bramford Lock83718
73.4 cm2 May 2006Downstream Bramford Lock90716
71.3 cm22 Apr 2010Sproughton Intake121474
66.4 cm3 May 2006Sproughton Intake90711
64.9 cm14 May 2019Munton & Fison154630
63.7 cm22 Apr 2008Munton & Fison110846
63 cm17 Apr 2025Munton & Fison177116
63 cm2 May 2002Station Road Bridge51420
63 cm30 Apr 2002Sproughton Intake50280
62.9 cm2 May 2006Downstream Bramford Lock90716

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
Sproughton Intake9 Nov 198929 Apr 202517
Needham Market1 Nov 198924 Apr 202515
Downstream Bramford Lock8 Nov 198923 Apr 202518
Munton & Fison26 Oct 198917 Apr 202517
Station Road Bridge6 Nov 198915 Apr 202518
Gypsy Lane31 Oct 198930 Jul 19994
Hadleigh Road Estate No29 Jul 199622 Jul 19992
Sproughton B.S.C.13 Nov 198921 Jul 19994
Bushmans Bridge7 Nov 198913 Jul 19994
Upstream Sharnford Lock2 Nov 19896 Jul 19994
Hadleigh Road Estate No110 Jul 199610 Jul 19961

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

1989–2025

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 1,419 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
11.3 cm
Lower quarter
29.2 cm
Median
36.6 cm
Upper quarter
45.3 cm
Largest
74 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 1,419 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
1.4 oz (0.039 kg)
Median
2.7 oz (0.077 kg)
Upper quarter
5.3 oz (0.151 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 12.9 oz (0.818 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 Gipping (Main Reaches)

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

Pike Roach Perch Dace Tench Chub

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 →