RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Main Lyd

Largest measured european eel: 68 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Lyd was 68 cm, recorded at Colemans Farm on 7 September 2006.

Across 617 measured european eel, the median measured length was 19 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 Lyd.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation8 September 2025Lifton Playing Field · 12 fish
Largest measured european eel
68 cm
Median length
19 cm
Fish measured
617
Survey locations
17

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
68 cm7 Sept 2006Colemans Farm101295
52 cm18 Aug 2021Lifton Playing Field160537
52 cm18 Jul 2003Greenlanes76486
51 cm6 Sept 2006Greenlanes101290
50.5 cm24 Sept 2008Colemans Farm114682
50 cm18 Jul 2018Greenlanes153649
49 cm3 Jul 2015Sydenham145259
49 cm3 Sept 2013Lifton Park138396
49 cm8 Jul 2005Sydenham87087
49 cm2 Aug 1996Lifton Playing Field105194

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
Lifton Playing Field20 Aug 19938 Sept 202524
u/s Gatherley26 Aug 19937 Jul 202525
Sydenham14 Aug 198427 Jun 202530
Upstream Spry Farm31 Jul 202331 Jul 20231
Warren Wood21 Jul 202321 Jul 20231
Downstream Lifton Playing Field14 Jul 202314 Jul 20231
Spry Farm15 Aug 198425 Jul 202218
Lydford Gorge23 Jul 199321 Sept 202116
Lifton Park24 Aug 199319 Aug 202115
Coryton Bridge16 Aug 19843 Aug 20215
Greenlanes13 Aug 198430 Jul 201916
Colemans Farm3 Oct 200524 Sept 20083
Lyd Confluence9 Aug 199413 Sept 20064
Ambrosia Bridge5 Sept 20055 Sept 20051
Langham30 Jul 199321 Sept 20014
Sydenham upper gravel retention10 Jul 199524 Jun 19962
Sydenham lower gravel retention7 Jul 19957 Jul 19951

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

1984–2025

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 617 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
7 cm
Lower quarter
14 cm
Median
19 cm
Upper quarter
26.5 cm
Largest
68 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Lyd

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Bullhead Stone loach Brook lamprey Minnow

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 →