RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Main Barnstaple Yeo

Largest measured european eel: 47 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Barnstaple Yeo was 47 cm, recorded at New Mills (Sp/WFD) on 1 September 2021.

Across 88 measured european eel, the median measured length was 26 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 Main Barnstaple Yeo.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation19 August 2025Shirwell Mill (Sp) · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
47 cm
Median length
26 cm
Fish measured
88
Survey locations
4

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
47 cm1 Sept 2021New Mills (Sp/WFD)160456
46 cm6 Sept 2022New Mills (Sp/WFD)161606
46 cm17 Sept 2018Shirwell Mill (Sp)153573
42.5 cm19 Sept 2018New Mills (Sp/WFD)153605
42 cm19 Sept 2018New Mills (Sp/WFD)153605
41.5 cm17 Sept 2018Shirwell Mill (Sp)153573
38 cm5 Aug 2010New Mills (Sp/WFD)123324
36.5 cm17 Sept 2018Shirwell Mill (Sp)153573
36 cm1 Sept 2021New Mills (Sp/WFD)160456
33.2 cm6 Sept 2022New Mills (Sp/WFD)161606

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
Shirwell Mill (Sp)9 Sept 199619 Aug 20254
New Mills (Sp/WFD)17 Aug 200719 Aug 20258
East Down (Sp)*23 Sept 199923 Sept 19991
Riversmead (Sp)*9 Sept 19969 Sept 19961

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

1996–2025

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 88 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
10 cm
Lower quarter
18 cm
Median
26 cm
Upper quarter
30.5 cm
Largest
47 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Barnstaple Yeo

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Atlantic salmon

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 →