RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Itchen

Largest measured european eel: 75 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Itchen was 75 cm, recorded at Bishopstoke Barge on 8 August 2011.

Across 1,326 measured european eel, the median measured length was 28.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 185 european eel. The median was 2.1 oz (0.06 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2 lb 12.1 oz (1.25 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 Itchen.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation5 September 2025Brambridge main "Kanara" · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
75 cm
Median length
28.5 cm
Fish measured
1,326
Survey locations
35

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
75 cm8 Aug 2011Bishopstoke Barge127478
74 cm2 Sept 2024St Cross Mill "eel trap run"167628
72 cm17 Sept 2021Abbott's Barton Chalk Straight160299
68 cm9 Sept 2020Swimming Pool, Winchester156391
67.5 cm24 Sept 2013Bishopstoke Barge138935
67 cm5 Sept 2025Brambridge main "Kanara"179020
67 cm30 Aug 2023Bishopstoke Barge163764
67 cm7 Aug 2007Bishopstoke Barge107955
66.5 cm2 Sept 2022Bishopstoke Barge161453
66.5 cm24 Sept 2013Bishopstoke Barge138935

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
St Cross Mill "eel trap run"2 Sept 20245 Sept 20252
Brambridge main "Kanara"6 Sept 20245 Sept 20252
Wolvesey Lodge27 Aug 20084 Sept 20259
Hockley Mill14 Sept 20094 Sept 202511
Swimming Pool, Winchester2 Aug 20073 Sept 20258
Shipley Bridge, Otterbourne6 Sept 20193 Sept 20256
Shawford, upstream of Norris's Bridge6 Sept 20193 Sept 20257
Lower Bishopstoke Fishery10 Sept 20183 Sept 20259
Toby Carvery Bishopstoke10 Sept 20182 Sept 20258
Lower Itchen Fishery - d/s viaduct28 Aug 20091 Sept 202511
Lower Itchen Fishery - Hut Run10 Sept 20241 Sept 20253
Bishopstoke Barge31 Aug 200429 Aug 202513
Shawford Park6 Oct 200828 Aug 202511
Fulling Mill, Abbott's Worthy12 Aug 200921 Aug 20259
Abbots Worthy, u/s Mill16 Oct 201819 Oct 20242
Mansbridge10 Sept 201810 Sept 20244
St Cross Bridge15 Sept 20152 Sept 20245
Brambridge11 Sept 20182 Sept 20244
Caravan Pool, Highbridge2 Sept 201529 Aug 20236
Abbott's Barton Chalk Straight17 Sept 202117 Sept 20211
Woodmill16 Sept 201916 Sept 20191
Abbots Worthy, Rochienne's control24 Oct 201824 Oct 20181
Avington15 Sept 201515 Sept 20151
Twyford Lodge18 Oct 201118 Oct 20111
Abbott's Barton, duck's nest spinney27 Sept 201027 Sept 20101
Abbott's Barton Upper10 Oct 200727 Sept 20102
Segar's Farm28 Oct 200928 Oct 20091
St Cross Carrier18 Sept 200918 Sept 20091
Bishopstoke Lock5 Sept 20024 Sept 20095
Abbott's Barton, Five Hatches10 Oct 200710 Oct 20071
Abbots Barton Lower10 Oct 200710 Oct 20071
Railway25 Sept 200231 Aug 20054
Lower Itchen Fishery - Allington Stream19 Sept 20027 Sept 20043
The Willow18 Sept 200218 Sept 20021
College, Winchester16 Sept 200216 Sept 20021

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

2002–2025

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 1,326 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
0.5 cm
Lower quarter
22.5 cm
Median
28.5 cm
Upper quarter
43 cm
Largest
75 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 185 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
0.8 oz (0.022 kg)
Median
2.1 oz (0.06 kg)
Upper quarter
7.4 oz (0.211 kg)
Heaviest
2 lb 12.1 oz (1.25 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 Itchen

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Minnow Atlantic salmon Grayling 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 →