RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Idle

Largest measured european eel: 85.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Idle was 85.5 cm, recorded at Eaton on 3 May 2011.

Across 700 measured european eel, the median measured length was 41 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 Idle.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation21 August 2024Chain Bridge Lane · 2 fish
Largest measured european eel
85.5 cm
Median length
41 cm
Fish measured
700
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.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
85.5 cm3 May 2011Eaton126157
85 cm17 May 2010Chain Bridge Lane121690
74.5 cm19 May 2009Bawtry119493
67.3 cm2 Jul 2012Idle Valley Nature Reserve131731
66.4 cm19 May 2009Bawtry119493
65.5 cm7 May 2014Mattersey Priory140751
65 cm2 May 2014Eaton140863
64 cm2 May 2014Eaton140863
63 cm25 Apr 2017Bawtry150362
62 cm12 May 2011Chain Bridge Lane126197

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
Chain Bridge Lane8 Mar 200021 Aug 202414
Bawtry28 Jan 198325 Apr 201714
Mattersey Priory20 Aug 198713 Apr 201717
Tiln22 Mar 199511 Apr 20178
Eaton12 Feb 199211 Apr 201712
Idle Valley Nature Reserve2 Jul 20122 Jul 20121
Haxey Gate28 Oct 200320 Oct 20052
Misterton Soss12 May 199513 Sept 20042
Misson3 Nov 20033 Nov 20031
Gamston23 Nov 198921 Oct 20032

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

1983–2024

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 700 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9 cm
Lower quarter
34 cm
Median
41 cm
Upper quarter
47 cm
Largest
85.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Idle

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

Roach Perch Pike Chub Gudgeon Bleak

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 →