European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Waveney (central)

Largest measured european eel: 70 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Waveney (central) was 70 cm, recorded at Billingford Bridge on 6 July 2010.

Across 132 measured european eel, the median measured length was 38 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 104 european eel. The median was 5.5 oz (0.155 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 5.3 oz (0.605 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 Waveney (central).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation15 September 2023Homersfield Bridge · 1 fish

Largest measured european eel: 70 cm
Median length: 38 cm
Fish measured: 132
Survey locations: 20

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
70 cm	6 Jul 2010	Billingford Bridge	122702
69.3 cm	12 Sept 2017	Homersfield Bridge	152399
69 cm	28 Aug 2008	Upstream Wortwell Mill	115602
68 cm	21 Aug 2008	Homersfield Bridge	115292
64.9 cm	15 Sept 2023	Homersfield Bridge	164253
63 cm	27 Jul 2007	Watts Plantation	106191
62 cm	21 Aug 2008	Homersfield Bridge	115292
61 cm	21 Jun 2007	Billingford Bridge	106190
58.5 cm	28 Aug 2008	Upstream Wortwell Mill	115602
58 cm	28 Aug 2008	Upstream Wortwell Mill	115602

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
Homersfield Bridge	15 Aug 1989	15 Sept 2023	10
Wainford Maltings	20 Jun 2005	20 Sept 2017	6
Watts Plantation	20 Jul 1989	14 Sept 2017	13
Bungay Common	25 Jul 1989	22 Aug 2014	6
Broome Waterworks	19 Jul 2006	21 Aug 2014	2
Upstream Lucks Mill	18 Jul 1989	5 Aug 2011	6
Billingford Bridge	10 Jul 1989	6 Jul 2010	5
Shotford Bridge	1 Aug 1989	4 Sept 2008	5
Upstream Wortwell Mill	8 Aug 1989	28 Aug 2008	4
Downstream Brockdish Mill	17 Jul 1989	7 Aug 2008	5
Needham Mill	31 Jul 1989	6 Aug 2008	4
Bungay Common (Top)	24 Jul 1989	17 Jul 2006	4
Earsham Buck	19 Jul 1989	13 Jul 2006	2
Downstream Wortwell Mill	18 May 1993	12 Jul 2006	3
Mendham Marshes	13 May 1993	11 Jul 2006	2
Hoxne Mill	28 Apr 1993	5 Jul 2006	3
Monks Hall	17 Jul 1989	1 Jul 2006	4
Wainford Maltings No1	26 Jul 1989	28 Jun 2006	5
Wainford Maltings No2	27 Jul 1989	11 Jul 1996	3
Dairy Farm	7 Aug 1989	7 Aug 1989	1

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

1989–2023

Survey records by year

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

1589

090

091

092

1593

094

095

1396

097

098

099

000

001

302

203

404

305

1306

307

708

309

210

211

012

013

414

015

016

317

018

019

020

021

022

123

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 132 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 10 cm
Lower quarter: 29.8 cm
Median: 38.1 cm
Upper quarter: 47 cm
Largest: 70 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 104 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.1 oz (0.0027 kg)
Lower quarter: 2.8 oz (0.08 kg)
Median: 5.5 oz (0.155 kg)
Upper quarter: 9.7 oz (0.274 kg)
Heaviest: 1 lb 5.3 oz (0.605 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 Waveney (central)

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

Roach Pike Perch Stone loach Chub Dace

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 →