RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Ruthern

Largest measured european eel: 56.1 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Ruthern was 56.1 cm, recorded at Ruthern Bridge on 19 August 1997.

Across 340 measured european eel, the median measured length was 17.9 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 Ruthern.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation1 July 2026Ruthern Bridge · 9 fish
Largest measured european eel
56.1 cm
Median length
17.9 cm
Fish measured
340
Survey locations
7

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
56.1 cm19 Aug 1997Ruthern Bridge103658
55 cm2 Jun 2011Withiel126554
45 cm2 Jun 2011Withiel126554
43 cm8 Aug 2005Ruthern Bridge86950
41 cm6 Jul 2006Withiel100052
40.1 cm19 Aug 1997Ruthern Bridge103658
36.7 cm2 Aug 2000Trewithian103543
36.1 cm4 Aug 2000Ruthern Bridge103546
36 cm2 Jul 2013Ruthern Bridge136957
35.5 cm15 Jun 2017Withiel150709

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
Ruthern Bridge20 Jun 19891 Jul 202626
Upstream Withiel7 Jun 202310 Jul 20242
Ruthernbridge Dip28 Jun 20232 Jul 20242
Trewithian16 Jul 19804 Jul 202310
Withiel16 Jul 19807 Jun 202312
Cottonwood23 Jul 198021 Jul 20008
Trewollack25 May 19857 Aug 19974

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

1980–2026

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 340 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
5.5 cm
Lower quarter
11.9 cm
Median
18 cm
Upper quarter
25.1 cm
Largest
56.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Ruthern

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Atlantic salmon Brook lamprey

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 →