European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Hamble

Largest measured european eel: 57.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Hamble was 57.5 cm, recorded at Treefield on 14 July 2016.

Across 135 measured european eel, the median measured length was 32 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 55 european eel. The median was 2.2 oz (0.063 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 11.6 oz (0.33 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 Hamble.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation18 June 2025Durley Mill · 4 fish

Largest measured european eel: 57.5 cm
Median length: 32 cm
Fish measured: 135
Survey locations: 10

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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
57.5 cm	14 Jul 2016	Treefield	148530
56.8 cm	21 Jul 2008	Brooklands Farm	113128
54 cm	22 Aug 2018	Lower Wangfield Farm Meadow	153338
54 cm	14 Jul 2016	Treefield	148530
52.5 cm	16 May 2013	Durley Mill	136023
51.5 cm	14 Jul 2016	Treefield	148530
51 cm	5 Aug 2021	Durley Mill	160067
50 cm	18 Jun 2009	Lower Wangfield Farm Meadow	119232
49.5 cm	21 Aug 2012	Upstream of railway viaduct	132990
49 cm	14 Jul 2016	Treefield	148530

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding european eel
Durley Mill	14 Aug 2001	18 Jun 2025	6
Frog Mill	27 Aug 2002	5 Aug 2021	4
Tangier Farm	21 Jul 2008	2 Aug 2021	3
Upstream of railway viaduct	5 Jun 2007	22 Aug 2018	5
Lower Wangfield Farm Meadow	29 May 2007	22 Aug 2018	7
Treefield	14 Jul 2016	14 Jul 2016	1
Thickets Farm	12 Jun 2008	14 Jul 2016	2
Brooklands Farm	21 Jul 2008	21 Jul 2008	1
Wangfield Lane	29 May 2007	29 May 2007	1
Botleigh Grange	14 Aug 2001	14 Aug 2001	1

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

2001–2025

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded european eel that year.

201

202

003

004

005

006

507

508

109

210

011

212

313

014

115

216

017

218

019

020

321

022

023

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 135 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 13.2 cm
Lower quarter: 27 cm
Median: 32 cm
Upper quarter: 39 cm
Largest: 57.5 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 55 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.2 oz (0.005 kg)
Lower quarter: 1.5 oz (0.0425 kg)
Median: 2.2 oz (0.063 kg)
Upper quarter: 3.4 oz (0.0965 kg)
Heaviest: 11.6 oz (0.33 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 Hamble

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Grayling Brook lamprey Roach 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 →