RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Ribble

Largest measured european eel: 65 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Ribble was 65 cm, recorded at Near Anley House on 21 August 1992.

Across 995 measured european eel, the median measured length was 33 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 Ribble.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation27 June 2024Hollins Barn (aka New Hall farm) · 5 fish
Largest measured european eel
65 cm
Median length
33 cm
Fish measured
995
Survey locations
17

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
65 cm21 Aug 1992Near Anley House114454
62 cm13 May 2010Hollins Barn (aka New Hall farm)121697
60 cm14 Jul 2014Upstream Nappa Ford141993
60 cm27 Jul 2005Hollins Barn (aka New Hall farm)87664
60 cm21 Aug 1992Settle Junction Near Mearbeck114458
58 cm11 Jul 2014Downstream B6480 Road Bridge At Settle141995
57 cm11 Jul 2014Locks Wier141962
56 cm24 Jul 2014Hollins Barn (aka New Hall farm)141991
56 cm24 Jul 2014Hollins Barn (aka New Hall farm)141991
56 cm27 Jul 2005Hollins Barn (aka New Hall farm)87664

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
Hollins Barn (aka New Hall farm)1 Sept 199227 Jun 202415
Downstream B6480 Road Bridge At Settle14 May 201027 Jun 20248
Upstream Nappa Ford13 May 201026 Jun 20247
Paythorne Bridge24 Jun 200226 Jun 202416
Downstream Edisford Bridge6 Jul 201026 Jun 20248
West Bradford Bridge24 Jul 201424 Jun 20245
Swinden27 Aug 200324 Jul 20142
Helwith Fly Fishery22 Jul 201422 Jul 20141
Locks Wier11 Jul 201411 Jul 20141
Arnford d/s of Wier27 Aug 200327 Aug 20031
Halton Bridge7 Sept 199824 Jun 20022
Nr Taitlands Pool19 Aug 199223 Sept 19982
Stainforth Paper Mill17 Sept 199817 Sept 19981
Settle Junction Near Mearbeck21 Aug 199221 Aug 19921
Robinsons Pool u/s Locks Wier21 Aug 199221 Aug 19921
Near Anley House21 Aug 199221 Aug 19921
Downstream Giggleswick nr Brigholme Barn21 Aug 199221 Aug 19921

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

1992–2024

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 995 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
10 cm
Lower quarter
27 cm
Median
33 cm
Upper quarter
40 cm
Largest
65 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Ribble

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Chub Dace Brook lamprey Gudgeon

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 →