European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Ivel

Largest measured european eel: 98.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Ivel was 98.5 cm, recorded at Biggleswade Common on 19 June 2003.

Across 73 measured european eel, the median measured length was 60 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 64 european eel. The median was 1 lb 1.8 oz (0.505 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 4 lb 8.1 oz (2.05 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 Ivel.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation30 April 2025Girtford Weir · 3 fish

Largest measured european eel: 98.5 cm
Median length: 60 cm
Fish measured: 73
Survey locations: 8

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
98.5 cm	19 Jun 2003	Biggleswade Common	76471
86 cm	30 Apr 2025	Girtford Weir	176390
85 cm	13 May 2005	High Romper Bridge	84563
85 cm	11 Jun 2002	Biggleswade Common	52054
83.7 cm	9 Apr 2025	DS Iron Bridge	176251
83 cm	13 May 2005	High Romper Bridge	84563
77.2 cm	14 Jun 2013	Biggleswade Common	136397
77 cm	6 Jun 2007	Biggleswade Common	105471
76.5 cm	8 Jul 2003	Girtford Weir	76474
73 cm	10 Jul 2002	Girtford Weir	52053

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
Girtford Weir	3 Aug 1998	30 Apr 2025	11
DS Iron Bridge	8 Jun 1989	9 Apr 2025	7
Gt Ouse Confluence	12 Jun 1989	19 May 2016	14
Biggleswade Common	9 Jun 1989	17 May 2016	7
High Romper Bridge	9 Jun 1998	13 May 2005	2
Beeston	30 Jul 1998	30 Jul 1998	1
Langford Nursery	2 May 1995	1 Jun 1998	2
Henlow	5 May 1995	29 May 1998	2

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.

389

090

091

292

093

094

495

096

097

798

099

000

001

402

303

104

405

106

307

208

209

110

011

012

313

014

015

416

017

018

019

020

021

022

023

024

225

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 73 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 31 cm
Lower quarter: 48 cm
Median: 60 cm
Upper quarter: 67.5 cm
Largest: 98.5 cm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

800–899 mm

900–999 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 64 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 2.3 oz (0.065 kg)
Lower quarter: 8.6 oz (0.243 kg)
Median: 1 lb 1.8 oz (0.505 kg)
Upper quarter: 1 lb 10.5 oz (0.75 kg)
Heaviest: 4 lb 8.1 oz (2.05 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 Ivel

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

Chub Pike Roach Gudgeon Dace Bullhead

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 →