RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Wensum (upper)

Largest measured european eel: 82.2 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (upper) was 82.2 cm, recorded at South Mill Farm on 13 September 2012.

Across 47 measured european eel, the median measured length was 48 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 15 european eel. The median was 8.4 oz (0.237 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 15.7 oz (0.9 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 (upper).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation3 September 2024Upstream Fakenham Mill · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
82.2 cm
Median length
48 cm
Fish measured
47
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
82.2 cm13 Sept 2012South Mill Farm133568
76.4 cm10 Mar 2022Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge160989
75 cm27 Oct 2005Upstream Sculthorpe Mill88366
72 cm28 Sept 2012Upstream Sculthorpe Mill134170
69.5 cm6 Aug 2013Upstream Fakenham Mill137745
69 cm29 Aug 2002Upstream Sculthorpe Mill64620
66 cm6 Aug 2013Upstream Fakenham Mill137745
64.8 cm12 Sept 2012Upstream Fakenham Mill133558
63.5 cm3 Sept 2024Upstream Fakenham Mill167171
63 cm8 Apr 2015South Mill Farm144929

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
Upstream Fakenham Mill1 May 19903 Sept 202411
Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge27 Feb 198610 Mar 20223
Upstream Sculthorpe Mill11 Mar 19868 Jun 201812
South Mill Farm26 Feb 198621 May 20189
Tatterford Common24 Apr 199015 May 20184
Fakenham Common20 Mar 198627 Apr 20157
Downstream Doughton Bridge4 Mar 19863 Apr 19974
Upstream Raynham Bridge5 Mar 198626 Mar 19972
Hellhoughton Common6 Mar 198610 Apr 19902
Sculthorpe Moor18 Mar 198618 Mar 19861

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

1986–2024

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 47 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
15 cm
Lower quarter
37.2 cm
Median
48 cm
Upper quarter
60.5 cm
Largest
82.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 15 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
1.8 oz (0.05 kg)
Lower quarter
7.1 oz (0.2 kg)
Median
8.4 oz (0.237 kg)
Upper quarter
15.7 oz (0.4445 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 15.7 oz (0.9 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 (upper)

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

Brown / sea trout Stone loach Bullhead 3-spined stickleback Brook lamprey 10-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 →