RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Sow

Largest measured european eel: 86.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Sow was 86.5 cm, recorded at Creswell Farm on 26 October 1994.

Across 161 measured european eel, the median measured length was 44.9 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 Sow.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation10 July 2018Sainsbury's, Stafford · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
86.5 cm
Median length
44.9 cm
Fish measured
161
Survey locations
10

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
86.5 cm26 Oct 1994Creswell Farm5032
72 cm20 Jun 2000Sea Cadets, Riverway, Stafford114495
70 cm8 Jun 1994Chebsey5039
69.5 cm23 Sept 2009Creswell Farm120073
69 cm18 May 2005Upstream St Thomas Mill84592
68.5 cm16 Oct 1991Broadeye Stafford4297
67.5 cm12 May 2004Upstream St Thomas Mill80127
65 cm18 May 2005Upstream St Thomas Mill84592
65 cm24 Nov 1991Upstream St Thomas Mill4299
64.5 cm16 May 2006Upstream St Thomas Mill90773

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
Sainsbury's, Stafford8 Nov 199410 Jul 20186
Great Bridgeford3 Jul 199020 Jul 20176
Creswell Farm3 Jul 199019 Jul 20137
Upstream St Thomas Mill24 Nov 199123 Sept 20096
Chebsey8 Jun 199414 Apr 20043
M6 Bridge8 Nov 199421 Jun 20002
Sea Cadets, Riverway, Stafford25 Oct 199420 Jun 20002
Hillcote Hall7 Jun 199425 Jan 20002
Byanna Farm, Eccleshall7 Jun 199425 Jan 20002
Broadeye Stafford16 Oct 199116 Oct 19911

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

1990–2018

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 161 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
15.5 cm
Lower quarter
35 cm
Median
44.9 cm
Upper quarter
55 cm
Largest
86.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Sow

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

Perch Chub Pike Gudgeon Bullhead Roach

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 →