RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Main Fowey

Largest measured european eel: 67.3 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Fowey was 67.3 cm, recorded at Palmersbridge on 19 April 1978.

Across 1,047 measured european eel, the median measured length was 19.6 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 3 european eel. The median was 9.9 oz (0.28 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 11.3 oz (0.32 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 Main Fowey.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation19 September 2024Ashford Bridge · 2 fish
Largest measured european eel
67.3 cm
Median length
19.6 cm
Fish measured
1,047
Survey locations
21

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
67.3 cm19 Apr 1978Palmersbridge118733
62.2 cm22 Aug 2000Codda104143
61.2 cm15 Jun 1977Palmersbridge117842
61 cm8 Aug 1979Trezibbett135502
59.4 cm7 Aug 1979Lower Langdon135501
59.3 cm18 Aug 1977Palmersbridge120885
59 cm22 Aug 2000Codda104143
58.2 cm3 Aug 1978Trezibbett118262
57.5 cm7 Aug 1979Lower Langdon135501
57.4 cm27 Apr 1978Lower Langdon118495

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
Ashford Bridge20 Sept 201219 Sept 20246
Halfway12 Sept 197915 Aug 20247
Trezibbett22 Jun 19777 Aug 202414
Upstream Doublebois Bridge13 Sept 20166 Aug 20244
Draynes Bridge12 Jul 199411 Aug 202214
Lower Langdon27 Apr 19786 Jul 202214
Palmersbridge15 Jun 197716 Jul 202116
Brown Queen31 Aug 201831 Aug 20181
Doublebois22 Jul 199421 Aug 20148
Leskernick8 Jun 197825 Jul 20129
Respryn Bridge19 Sept 19791 Sept 20116
Treverbyn19 Apr 19772 Aug 201024
Restormel15 Sept 19974 Sept 20083
Newbridge15 Sept 19973 Aug 20052
Trengale Wood12 Sept 199722 Apr 20052
Codda8 Jul 199422 Aug 20002
Glynn13 Sept 197915 Sept 19972
Harrowbridge12 Jul 19949 Sept 19974
Lamelgate8 Jul 199410 Jul 19963
Westerlake Spawning Beds14 Jun 199514 Jun 19951
Ninestones Spawning Beds14 Jun 199514 Jun 19951

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

1977–2024

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 1,047 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.2 cm
Lower quarter
14.7 cm
Median
19.6 cm
Upper quarter
29.5 cm
Largest
67.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 3 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
3.7 oz (0.106 kg)
Lower quarter
6.8 oz (0.193 kg)
Median
9.9 oz (0.28 kg)
Upper quarter
10.6 oz (0.3 kg)
Heaviest
11.3 oz (0.32 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 Main Fowey

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Atlantic salmon Minnow Brook lamprey 3-spined stickleback

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 →