RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Lune

Largest measured european eel: 71.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Lune was 71.5 cm, recorded at Kirkby Lonsdale Island on 23 July 1991.

Across 368 measured european eel, the median measured length was 30 cm.

Surveyors recorded one individual weight: 1.8 oz (0.05 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 Lune.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation16 October 2025Rayne Bridge, River Lune · 3 fish
Largest measured european eel
71.5 cm
Median length
30 cm
Fish measured
368
Survey locations
37

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
71.5 cm23 Jul 1991Kirkby Lonsdale Island115128
65.4 cm11 Sept 2003Above Broadraine Counter78451
64 cm19 Aug 1991M6 Bridge Downstream Birk Beck114960
62 cm8 Aug 1991Upstream Aquaduct at High House Wood115164
60 cm22 Aug 2002Middleton Hall72099
60 cm19 Aug 1991Rayne Bridge, River Lune114929
60 cm19 Aug 1991Rayne Bridge, River Lune114929
58 cm16 Jul 1997Downstream Potlands112419
58 cm20 Aug 1991Kelleth Bridge114928
58 cm19 Aug 1991Rayne Bridge, River Lune114929

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
Rayne Bridge, River Lune19 Jul 198816 Oct 20259
Wath2 Oct 199116 Aug 20167
Scots Wife Greet25 Sept 200925 Jul 20142
Downstream Birk Beck, River Lune17 Jul 201317 Jul 20131
Upstream Aquaduct at High House Wood8 Aug 199115 Jul 20133
Underley Downstream Bridge23 Jul 199115 Jul 20132
Aughton Beck Site 1 (200m d/s Road Bridge)6 Oct 200529 Sept 20062
Haverah Beck (Habitat Improvement Site)25 Sept 200625 Sept 20061
Aughton Beck Site 2 (immed u/s Road Bridge)6 Oct 20056 Oct 20051
Above Broadraine Counter23 Aug 200211 Sept 20032
Upstream Colls Ford at Tebay16 Aug 199128 Aug 20023
Kelleth Bridge20 Aug 199127 Aug 20023
Middleton Hall30 Jul 199122 Aug 20022
Upstream Loyn Bridge Nr Thrush Gill Wood21 Aug 200221 Aug 20021
Loyn Bridge6 Aug 199117 Aug 20022
Holme House30 Jul 199117 Jul 20022
Gressingham10 Sept 199117 Jul 20022
Thwaite Upstream Conf Chapel Beck Howgill6 Jul 198923 Sept 19973
Lincolns Inn Bridge at Bridge End15 Aug 199123 Sept 19972
Upstream Old Tebay Bridge19 Aug 19916 Aug 19972
M6 Bridge Old Tebay11 Jul 19896 Aug 19973
Bankers Pool19 Aug 19916 Aug 19972
Low Borrowbridge22 Jul 199722 Jul 19971
Downstream Potlands16 Jul 199716 Jul 19971
Potlands15 Jul 199715 Jul 19971
Fleetholme, River Lune12 Sept 199112 Sept 19911
The Snab10 Sept 199110 Sept 19911
Low Mill at Caton10 Sept 199110 Sept 19911
Caton Near Picnic Site10 Sept 199110 Sept 19911
M6 Bridge Downstream Birk Beck19 Aug 199119 Aug 19911
Downstream Salterwath Bridge16 Aug 199116 Aug 19911
Beckfoot, River Lune15 Aug 199115 Aug 19911
Whittington Estate8 Aug 19918 Aug 19911
Lane Foot Farm6 Aug 19916 Aug 19911
Arkholme Broomfield6 Aug 19916 Aug 19911
Casterton near Kirfit Hall Farm28 Jul 199128 Jul 19911
Kirkby Lonsdale Island6 Jul 198923 Jul 19912

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

1988–2025

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 368 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
9 cm
Lower quarter
20.7 cm
Median
30 cm
Upper quarter
39 cm
Largest
71.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

One individual weight was recorded for this fish and river. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Recorded weight
1.8 oz (0.05 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 Lune

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Bullhead Minnow Stone loach

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 →