RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Wear

Largest measured european eel: 67.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wear was 67.5 cm, recorded at River Wear at Finchale Priory - Eel Site on 30 September 2009.

Across 1,529 measured european eel, the median measured length was 26.1 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 Wear.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation13 June 2025Lumley Park Burn at Lumley Castle - Eel Site · 81 fish
Largest measured european eel
67.5 cm
Median length
26.1 cm
Fish measured
1,529
Survey locations
11

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
67.5 cm30 Sept 2009River Wear at Finchale Priory - Eel Site121093
67 cm10 Jun 2025River Gaunless at Auckland Castle - Eel Site176932
65 cm14 Jun 2023Linburn Beck at Witton Castle - Eel Site162451
65 cm13 Aug 2009Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site121107
64 cm18 Jun 2019River Browney at Malton Picnic Site - Eel Site154612
63 cm13 Jun 2023Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site163697
62.5 cm2 Jun 2017Linburn Beck at Witton Castle - Eel Site150467
62 cm19 Jun 2017River Wear at Finchale Priory - Eel Site150563
62 cm27 Jul 2011River Wear at Finchale Priory - Eel Site127737
61 cm29 Jun 2023River Gaunless at Auckland Castle - Eel Site163788

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
Lumley Park Burn at Lumley Castle - Eel Site13 Sept 200913 Jun 20258
Cong Burn at Chester-Le-Street - Eel Site10 Aug 200913 Jun 20258
River Wear at Finchale Priory - Eel Site30 Sept 200912 Jun 20256
Old Durham Beck at Shincliffe - Eel Site12 Aug 200912 Jun 20256
River Browney at Malton Picnic Site - Eel Site5 Jun 201711 Jun 20254
River Browney at Bear Park- Eel site9 Jun 201711 Jun 20253
River Gaunless at Auckland Castle - Eel Site12 Jun 201310 Jun 20254
Linburn Beck at Witton Castle - Eel Site11 Aug 200910 Jun 20257
Houselop Beck at Bradley - Eel Site11 Aug 20099 Jun 20258
Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site13 Aug 200913 Jun 20233
River Browney at Holiday Park - Eel Site29 Sept 200914 Jun 20133

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

2009–2025

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 1,529 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
6 cm
Lower quarter
18.2 cm
Median
26.1 cm
Upper quarter
33.5 cm
Largest
67.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wear

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Bullhead Minnow Stone loach 3-spined stickleback

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 →