European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Roding

Largest measured european eel: 88 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Roding was 88 cm, recorded at High Ongar (Ongar Bridge) on 29 August 2007.

Across 1,540 measured european eel, the median measured length was 30 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 27 european eel. The median was 6 oz (0.169 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 14.5 oz (0.865 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 Roding.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation23 April 2026Abridge Village Hall · 24 fish

Largest measured european eel: 88 cm
Median length: 30 cm
Fish measured: 1,540
Survey locations: 21

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
88 cm	29 Aug 2007	High Ongar (Ongar Bridge)	106495
81 cm	10 Nov 2004	Ilford Golf Course	83048
77 cm	2 Aug 2005	Crowther Nurseries	85312
75.3 cm	19 Aug 2013	Ilford Golf Course	138025
73.9 cm	31 Jul 2014	Passingford Bridge	142066
73.8 cm	10 Aug 2004	Gang Bridge	81521
73 cm	2 Mar 1999	Fyfield	73321
70.5 cm	2 Mar 1999	Fyfield	73321
69.3 cm	16 Apr 2015	Abridge Village Hall	144564
69 cm	22 Sept 2005	Roding Valley Nature Reserve	86593

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
Abridge Village Hall	16 Apr 2015	23 Apr 2026	2
Mayes Brook	23 Apr 2008	16 Apr 2026	4
Littlebury Mill	4 Sept 2002	22 Oct 2024	8
Roding Valley Nature Reserve	25 Sept 2002	8 Aug 2024	14
Ilford Golf Course	7 Jun 1992	23 Jul 2024	15
Crowther Nurseries	3 May 1992	2 Jul 2024	16
Luxborough Lane	12 May 1992	8 Sept 2016	7
High Ongar (Ongar Bridge)	12 Aug 2003	11 Aug 2015	4
Passingford Bridge	28 Apr 1992	31 Jul 2014	3
Abridge	21 Apr 1992	6 Sept 2006	5
Redbridge	11 Feb 1999	17 Aug 2006	6
Wanstead Park	24 May 1992	8 Nov 2005	5
Gang Bridge	10 Aug 2004	10 Aug 2004	1
Loughton	6 Sept 2002	6 Sept 2002	1
Fyfield	30 Mar 1990	2 Mar 1999	2
Barking Creek - Mayes Brook confluence	30 Jul 1993	30 Jul 1993	1
Barking Creek - Six gates pool L/H Downstream	13 Jul 1993	13 Jul 1993	1
Barking Creek - Six gates pool	13 Jul 1993	13 Jul 1993	1
Barking Creek - A13 road bridge	13 Jul 1993	13 Jul 1993	1
Barking Creek - Six gates sluice to Bark. slipway	1 Jul 1993	1 Jul 1993	1
Piggotts Farm M11 section	6 May 1992	6 May 1992	1

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

1990–2026

Survey records by year

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

190

091

792

593

094

095

096

097

098

399

000

001

902

903

804

605

906

407

508

309

310

011

212

413

114

515

116

017

418

119

020

121

022

223

424

025

226

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 1,540 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.7 cm
Lower quarter: 21.4 cm
Median: 30 cm
Upper quarter: 40.1 cm
Largest: 88 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

302

200–299 mm

439

300–399 mm

380

400–499 mm

217

500–599 mm

150

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

800–899 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 27 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.1 oz (0.004 kg)
Lower quarter: 3.5 oz (0.099 kg)
Median: 6 oz (0.169 kg)
Upper quarter: 9.2 oz (0.26 kg)
Heaviest: 1 lb 14.5 oz (0.865 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 Roding

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

Roach Dace Minnow Gudgeon Pike Chub

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 →