RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Main Tamar

Largest measured european eel: 75 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Tamar was 75 cm, recorded at Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap on 9 August 2012.

Across 147 measured european eel, the median measured length was 19 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 14 european eel. The median was 3 oz (0.085 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2 lb 5 oz (1.05 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 Main Tamar.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation16 August 2024u/s North Tamerton · 2 fish
Largest measured european eel
75 cm
Median length
19 cm
Fish measured
147
Survey locations
26

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
75 cm9 Aug 2012Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap159166
75 cm29 Aug 2011Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap158911
61.8 cm18 Sept 1996Gravel112986
58 cm28 May 2012Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap159107
54 cm16 Aug 2018u/s North Tamerton153728
51.2 cm18 Sept 1996Gravel112986
50 cm18 Jun 2013Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap159373
48 cm31 May 2016Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap159595
46.7 cm17 Sept 1996d/s Netherbridge112979
45 cm5 Jun 2011Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap158840

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
u/s North Tamerton6 Oct 199416 Aug 20246
Lawhitton18 Aug 19935 Sept 20233
Wishworthy18 Aug 199323 Aug 20234
Lowley Confluence16 Aug 199323 Aug 20232
Gordonhill Plantation23 Aug 202323 Aug 20231
d/s Greystone Bridge17 Aug 199312 Jul 20236
Dexbeer3 Aug 19906 Sept 202217
u/s Lamerhooe Ford27 Aug 199319 Aug 20225
Southcombe16 Aug 199319 Aug 20226
Gravel17 Aug 199319 Aug 20224
Gunnislake Weir Index River Fish Trap5 Jun 201127 Jun 201814
Bridgerule24 Jul 199015 Jul 20164
Tamarstone2 Aug 199021 Jul 20156
Great Moreton19 Aug 19939 Aug 20062
Tamartown1 Aug 199014 Jul 20043
u/s Polson Bridge18 Aug 199312 Jul 20043
Leighwood Waterfall16 Aug 19932 Jul 20043
Crowford Bridge30 Jul 199216 Jul 19996
North Tamerton10 Aug 19906 Aug 19987
d/s Netherbridge18 Aug 199317 Sept 19962
u/s North Tamerton (lower riffle)7 Jun 19932 Sept 19932
Haydon2 Jul 19932 Jul 19931
d/s Crowford Bridge8 Jun 19938 Jun 19931
u/s North Tamerton (upper riffle)7 Jun 19937 Jun 19931
Virworthy4 Jun 19934 Jun 19931
Moreton Mill4 Jun 19934 Jun 19931

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

1990–2024

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 147 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.5 cm
Lower quarter
10.5 cm
Median
19 cm
Upper quarter
28 cm
Largest
75 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 14 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
0.9 oz (0.025 kg)
Median
3 oz (0.085 kg)
Upper quarter
10.8 oz (0.305 kg)
Heaviest
2 lb 5 oz (1.05 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 Main Tamar

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

Bullhead Stone loach Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Minnow Grayling

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 →