RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Main Plym

Largest measured european eel: 70 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Plym was 70 cm, recorded at Brisworthy on 10 June 2013.

Across 1,082 measured european eel, the median measured length was 18 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 Plym.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation7 August 2025Ham · 18 fish
Largest measured european eel
70 cm
Median length
18 cm
Fish measured
1,082
Survey locations
12

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
70 cm10 Jun 2013Brisworthy136406
68 cm25 Jun 1998u/s Cadover102060
67.5 cm3 Jul 2006u/s Cadover100048
66 cm25 Jun 1998u/s Cadover102060
65 cm3 Jul 2006u/s Cadover100048
63 cm6 Jun 2002u/s Cadover68501
61 cm6 Jun 2002Brisworthy68500
61 cm25 Jun 1998u/s Cadover102060
61 cm24 Jun 1998Hartor102048
60.5 cm28 Aug 2008u/s Cadover113580

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
Ham23 Jan 19827 Aug 202519
Great Shaugh Wood7 Jul 19824 Jul 20259
u/s Cadover25 Jun 199823 Jun 20258
Plym Bridge29 Jul 198220 Jun 20259
Carne Wood21 Jul 202321 Jul 20231
Upstream Ham13 Jul 202313 Jul 20231
Colwill Wood28 Jun 202328 Jun 20231
Brisworthy26 Jul 19822 Jul 20197
Lower Cadworthy20 Jul 19826 Jul 20063
Bickleigh30 Jun 200630 Jun 20061
Ditsworthy Warren22 Jul 19825 Jun 20022
Hartor19 Jul 198224 Jun 19982

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

1982–2025

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 1,082 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
7 cm
Lower quarter
12.6 cm
Median
18 cm
Upper quarter
28.5 cm
Largest
70 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Plym

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Bullhead Minnow Flounder

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 →