RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Main Yealm

Largest measured european eel: 55 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Yealm was 55 cm, recorded at Dendles Wood on 14 August 2008.

Across 569 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 Yealm.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation28 August 2025Treby Ham · 4 fish
Largest measured european eel
55 cm
Median length
18 cm
Fish measured
569
Survey locations
29

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
55 cm14 Aug 2008Dendles Wood113193
51 cm4 Aug 2014Putta Pool142075
50.5 cm21 Sept 2005d/s Blachford Lake86712
50.5 cm21 Sept 2005d/s Blachford Lake86712
49 cm21 Sept 2005d/s Blachford Lake86712
48.5 cm4 Sept 2002Putta Pool72521
48 cm23 Sept 2021South Hele160683
47 cm21 Sept 2005d/s Blachford Lake86712
47 cm21 Sept 2005d/s Blachford Lake86712
46.5 cm21 Sept 2005d/s Blachford Lake86712

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
Treby Ham7 Aug 200228 Aug 202514
Putta Pool3 Aug 200215 Aug 202517
Challonsleigh24 Sept 202424 Sept 20241
Yealmpton5 Oct 202328 Aug 20242
Yealmbridge28 Sept 202328 Aug 20242
Puslinch Bridge5 Aug 200214 Aug 202414
Downstream Puslinch Br31 Aug 202314 Aug 20242
Potsons Wood6 Aug 20025 Aug 202411
Downstream Potsons Wood18 Aug 20235 Aug 20242
Upstream Treby Ham18 Jul 202418 Jul 20241
Downstream South Hele18 Jul 202418 Jul 20241
Downstream Putta Pool9 Aug 202318 Jul 20242
South Hele2 Aug 20028 Aug 20228
Upstream Lee Mill STW Pumping Station17 Sept 201417 Sept 20141
Upstream Hitchcombe Tributary17 Sept 201417 Sept 20141
Downstream Strashleigh Hams Landfill Site17 Sept 201417 Sept 20141
Yealmpton Mill19 Aug 20022 Sept 20144
Southwood Wood19 Aug 20025 Aug 20143
U/s Worston Mill Footbridge6 Aug 20126 Aug 20121
70m d/s Yealmpton Mill EF site6 Aug 20126 Aug 20121
50m u/s Yealmpton Mill EF site6 Aug 20126 Aug 20121
50m d/s Lotherton Bridge6 Aug 20126 Aug 20121
20m d/s Yealm Bridge6 Aug 20126 Aug 20121
200m u/s Long Brook confluence6 Aug 20126 Aug 20121
u/s Blachford Lake15 Aug 20086 Aug 20092
Dendles Wood20 Jul 200414 Aug 20082
d/s Blachford Lake21 Sept 20053 Aug 20062
Woodburn3 Aug 20063 Aug 20061
u/s Dendles Wood4 Aug 20044 Aug 20041

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

2002–2025

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 569 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
5.1 cm
Lower quarter
9 cm
Median
18 cm
Upper quarter
29 cm
Largest
55 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Yealm

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Bullhead Minnow Brook lamprey 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 →