European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Wensum (central)

Largest measured european eel: 86 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (central) was 86 cm, recorded at Upstream Lenwade Mill on 22 September 2009.

Across 237 measured european eel, the median measured length was 57 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 136 european eel. The median was 13.2 oz (0.375 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 3 lb 13.7 oz (1.75 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 Wensum (central).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation15 August 2025Hellesdon Road (Albert's) · 4 fish

Largest measured european eel: 86 cm
Median length: 57 cm
Fish measured: 237
Survey locations: 35

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
86 cm	22 Sept 2009	Upstream Lenwade Mill	119064
84.5 cm	16 Sept 2010	Swanton Morley	123864
84 cm	10 Jul 2015	Upstream Bintree Mill	145393
80 cm	29 Sept 2006	Attlebridge Hall Farm	101842
80 cm	29 Sept 2006	Attlebridge Hall Farm	101842
80 cm	7 Aug 2002	Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge	64640
79.5 cm	12 Oct 2017	Swanton Morley	152403
78 cm	12 Aug 2002	Downstream Billingford Bridge	64661
76.5 cm	10 Jul 2015	Upstream Bintree Mill	145393
76 cm	17 Aug 2012	Swanton Morley	132913

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
Hellesdon Road (Albert's)	4 Aug 1986	15 Aug 2025	19
Alders Spinney	22 Jul 1986	14 Aug 2025	12
Downstream Elsing Mill	23 Jun 1986	7 Aug 2025	22
Sparham pool, Lyng	19 Oct 2017	6 Sept 2024	5
County School	18 Jun 1986	20 Aug 2024	10
Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge	9 Jun 1986	31 Jul 2019	15
Swanton Morley	23 Jun 1986	12 Jul 2019	16
Upstream Bintree Mill	12 Jun 1986	17 Aug 2018	7
Upstream Lenwade Mill	1 Jul 1986	31 Jul 2015	9
Pensthorpe Hall	10 Jun 1986	24 Aug 2012	8
U/s Billingford Rd Bridge	28 Sept 2011	28 Sept 2011	1
Blakes Meadow	17 Jul 1986	9 Oct 2009	7
Upstream Drayton Green Lane	30 Jul 1986	8 Oct 2009	7
Lyng Pits	20 Jun 1986	1 Oct 2009	6
Downstream Ringland Bridge	10 Jul 1986	30 Sept 2009	7
Attlebridge Hall Farm	8 Jul 1986	23 Sept 2009	7
Downstream Billingford Bridge	19 Jun 1986	4 Sept 2009	12
Upstream Gt Ryburgh	5 Jun 1986	11 Sept 2006	6
Downstream Guist Bridge	17 Jun 1986	7 Oct 2003	3
Walcis' Hill Meadow	6 Oct 2003	6 Oct 2003	1
Downstream Attlebridge Bridge	7 Jul 1986	22 Sept 2003	5
Fish Farm	29 Aug 1990	8 Aug 1997	2
Edwards & Holmes Yard	11 Aug 1986	6 Aug 1997	2
Heigham Waterworks	14 Aug 1986	5 Aug 1997	2
Costessey Pits	15 Jul 1986	24 Jul 1997	4
Pinewood	23 Jul 1986	17 Jul 1997	4
Downstream Point Costessey	22 Aug 1990	9 Jul 1997	3
Downstream Broken Bridges	29 Jul 1986	8 Jul 1997	4
Walcis Farm	30 Jun 1986	6 Jun 1997	4
Swan Rescue	24 Jul 1986	5 Jun 1997	4
Upstream Elsing Mill	26 Jun 1986	13 May 1997	4
Castle Farm	25 Jun 1986	7 May 1997	4
Sennowe Park	10 Jun 1986	24 Apr 1997	4
Upstream Costessey Mill	16 Sept 1986	21 Aug 1990	2
Upstream Paddling Pool	13 Aug 1986	13 Aug 1986	1

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

1986–2025

Survey records by year

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

3086

087

088

089

2890

091

092

093

2494

095

096

2797

098

099

000

001

402

1703

404

505

1206

407

408

1309

210

311

612

413

214

715

316

317

818

619

020

021

422

123

524

325

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 237 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 16.3 cm
Lower quarter: 45 cm
Median: 57 cm
Upper quarter: 66 cm
Largest: 86 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

800–899 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 136 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.2 oz (0.007 kg)
Lower quarter: 7 oz (0.1972 kg)
Median: 13.2 oz (0.375 kg)
Upper quarter: 1 lb 5.2 oz (0.6 kg)
Heaviest: 3 lb 13.7 oz (1.75 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 Wensum (central)

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

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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 →