RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Welland

Largest measured european eel: 79 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Welland was 79 cm, recorded at Hudds Mill Downstream Weir (main channel) on 27 August 2009.

Across 1,253 measured european eel, the median measured length was 39 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 196 european eel. The median was 3.5 oz (0.1 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 11.5 oz (0.78 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 Welland.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation13 May 2026300 yard Downstream Ashley Gauging Weir · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
79 cm
Median length
39 cm
Fish measured
1,253
Survey locations
58

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
79 cm27 Aug 2009Hudds Mill Downstream Weir (main channel)118669
75 cm4 Jul 2014Downstream Uffington141930
74 cm19 May 2014Weston141011
73 cm19 May 2014Weston141011
72 cm25 Jun 2014Upstream Wakerly Road Bridge142633
72 cm19 May 2014Weston141011
72 cm18 May 2011Upstream Bringhurst Road Bridge126259
72 cm10 May 2011Upstream Wakerly Road Bridge126222
72 cm25 Jun 2008Downstream Lolham Mill Stream111568
72 cm15 May 2007Downstream Uffington105627

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
300 yard Downstream Ashley Gauging Weir24 May 199013 May 20269
Hudds Mill Downstream Weir (main channel)27 Aug 200916 Oct 20244
Stamford Meadows21 Jun 199015 Oct 202416
Sandy Lane11 Jul 199010 Oct 202420
Downstream Uffington13 Aug 197925 Oct 201615
Downstream Tinwell weir2 Sept 200914 Oct 20163
Upstream Wakerly Road Bridge20 Jun 19906 Oct 20167
Downstream Lolham Bridge17 Sept 199010 Oct 20144
Upstream Ashley Road Bridge8 Jun 199030 Jun 20146
Downstream Harringworth Road Bridge22 Feb 198320 Jun 201412
Weston19 May 201419 May 20141
Downstream Gretton Road Bridge19 Nov 198213 May 20149
Downstream Duddington Road Bridge9 Jul 19907 May 201414
Downstream Lolham Mill Stream19 Jan 199024 Oct 201311
Upstream Bringhurst Road Bridge30 Apr 19934 Jun 20134
Blackgate16 May 19849 May 20137
Upstream Great Bowden Road Bridge25 May 19908 May 20134
Brook Drain23 Apr 201323 Apr 20131
Upstream Nine Bridges Right Bank20 Nov 200820 Nov 20081
Upstream Nine Bridges Right Bank20 Nov 200820 Nov 20081
Upstream Nine Bridges Left Bank20 Nov 200820 Nov 20081
Upstream Nine Bridges Left Bank20 Nov 200820 Nov 20081
Full Section20 Nov 200820 Nov 20081
Full Section20 Nov 200820 Nov 20081
Right Hand Bank18 Nov 200818 Nov 20081
Right Hand Bank18 Nov 200818 Nov 20081
Left Hand Bank18 Nov 200818 Nov 20081
Left Hand Bank18 Nov 200818 Nov 20081
Full Section18 Nov 200818 Nov 20081
Full Section18 Nov 200818 Nov 20081
Wherry's Mill20 Apr 200525 Jun 20082
Downstream STW Market Harborough23 May 199021 May 20083
Downstream Bringhurst Road Bridge25 May 19903 Aug 20064
Downstream Four Mile Bar Road Bridge20 Sept 200020 Sept 20001
Peakirk Road Bridge31 Jul 200031 Jul 20001
Upstream Tallington Road Bridge27 Sept 199027 Jul 20004
Tallington Mill Upstream27 Apr 198426 Jul 20004
Downstream Collyweston Road Bridge14 Mar 198325 Jul 20005
Upstream Tinwell Mill21 Jun 199020 Jul 20003
Downstream Hudds Mill - back channel12 Jul 199020 Jul 20004
Upstream Harringworth Viaduct14 Jun 199019 Jul 20004
Downstream Rockingham Road Bridge24 Feb 198329 Jun 20005
Upstream Welham Road Bridge8 Jun 199026 Jun 20004
Upstream Lubenham Road Bridge22 May 199025 May 20002
Market Harborough Upstream Road Bridge23 May 200023 May 20001
Downstream Clay Lake Bridge9 Jun 199318 Sept 19962
Downstream High Locks30 Aug 199021 Aug 19963
New Road End16 Jul 199616 Jul 19961
Peg 39711 Jul 199611 Jul 19961
Upstream Lolham Mill Stream10 Jul 199011 Jun 19963
Peg 21629 Jun 199329 Jun 19931
No 2 Clay Lake28 Jun 199328 Jun 19931
Wisbech Road10 Jun 199310 Jun 19931
Downstream Crowland Bridge12 Oct 199026 May 19932
Peg 45018 Oct 199018 Oct 19901
Welland Yacht Club11 Oct 199011 Oct 19901
Downstream Gunthorpe Road Bridge3 Oct 19903 Oct 19901
Upstream A16 Road Bridge2 Oct 19902 Oct 19901

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

1979–2026

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 1,253 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
10.8 cm
Lower quarter
30.8 cm
Median
39 cm
Upper quarter
47 cm
Largest
79 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 196 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.4 oz (0.01 kg)
Lower quarter
2.1 oz (0.06 kg)
Median
3.5 oz (0.1 kg)
Upper quarter
7.1 oz (0.2 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 11.5 oz (0.78 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 Welland

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

Pike Dace Roach Perch Gudgeon 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 →