RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Main Valency

Largest measured european eel: 36 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Valency was 36 cm, recorded at Boscastle on 5 September 2003.

Across 68 measured european eel, the median measured length was 16.8 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 Valency.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation30 August 2017Newmill · 3 fish
Largest measured european eel
36 cm
Median length
16.8 cm
Fish measured
68
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
36 cm5 Sept 2003Boscastle77615
35 cm3 Aug 2009Boscastle118764
33 cm30 Aug 2017Newmill151662
33 cm21 Aug 2008Newmill113579
33 cm5 Sept 2003Boscastle77615
32 cm23 Aug 2011Boscastle127556
30.5 cm3 Sept 2003Newmill77610
30 cm23 Aug 2011Boscastle127556
29 cm6 Aug 2012Anderton Ford132685
29 cm19 Aug 2005Newmill86822

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
Newmill29 Sept 198730 Aug 20178
Anderton Ford15 Jul 20096 Aug 20122
Halamaling29 Sept 19872 Aug 20125
Boscastle30 Sept 198719 Jul 20126

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

1987–2017

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 68 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
7 cm
Lower quarter
11 cm
Median
16.8 cm
Upper quarter
22.9 cm
Largest
36 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Valency

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Atlantic salmon Rainbow trout

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 →