European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Otter Sites

Largest measured european eel: 68 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Otter Sites was 68 cm, recorded at Tipton St John playing field (WFD) on 31 August 2016.

Across 164 measured european eel, the median measured length was 14 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 Otter Sites.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation18 July 2025Tipton St John playing field (WFD) · 10 fish

Largest measured european eel: 68 cm
Median length: 14 cm
Fish measured: 164
Survey locations: 9

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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
68 cm	31 Aug 2016	Tipton St John playing field (WFD)	149099
59 cm	23 May 2011	Royston (Sp)	126356
53.5 cm	30 Jun 2010	Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)	122714
52 cm	11 Jul 2023	Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)	162595
51 cm	6 Jun 2018	Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)	152592
51 cm	14 Jun 2016	Royston (Sp)	148243
51 cm	24 Sept 2007	Otterton Bridge (Dip/WFD)	108501
50 cm	21 Jun 2023	Otterton Bridge (Dip/WFD)	163956
48 cm	14 Jun 2016	Royston (Sp)	148243
47.5 cm	27 Jun 2013	Tipton St John playing field (WFD)	137029

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding european eel
Tipton St John playing field (WFD)	22 Jul 2011	18 Jul 2025	4
Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)	10 Sept 1998	25 Jun 2025	15
Otterton Bridge (Dip/WFD)	29 Sept 1998	21 Jun 2023	8
Royston (Sp)	27 May 2003	8 Jun 2023	4
Monkton (Sp)	18 Sept 1998	10 Jun 2011	3
Tipton St John (Dip)*	19 Jul 2005	4 Oct 2006	2
Upstream Colhayes Bridge (Dip)	6 Oct 1998	27 May 2003	2
Upstream Cadhay (Dip)*	9 Oct 1998	27 May 2003	2
Knackers Hole Bridge (Sp)*	7 Sept 1998	7 Sept 1998	1

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

1998–2025

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded european eel that year.

698

099

000

001

102

503

104

205

206

207

008

009

210

411

012

113

014

115

416

117

118

019

020

221

122

323

024

225

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 164 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 5.1 cm
Lower quarter: 8.8 cm
Median: 14 cm
Upper quarter: 25.5 cm
Largest: 68 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Otter Sites

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Stone loach Minnow 3-spined stickleback Atlantic salmon

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 →