RiverFish

European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Wharfe

Largest measured european eel: 83 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wharfe was 83 cm, recorded at Tadcaster post 2006 on 9 July 2010.

Across 38 measured european eel, the median measured length was 30 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 Wharfe.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation11 August 2025Boston Spa - Fry Survey · 1 fish
Largest measured european eel
83 cm
Median length
30 cm
Fish measured
38
Survey locations
23

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
83 cm9 Jul 2010Tadcaster post 2006124961
70.3 cm1 Jul 2010Knotford124964
56.8 cm8 Jul 2010Castley124835
55.3 cm1 Jul 2010Knotford124964
54.3 cm1 Sept 2011Knotford128735
48.5 cm1 Jul 2010Pool Mill124963
47.5 cm1 Jul 2010Knotford124964
47.4 cm8 Jul 2010Castley124835
47 cm1 Jul 2010Knotford124964
46.4 cm8 Jul 2010Castley124835

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
Boston Spa - Fry Survey12 Aug 202411 Aug 20252
Pool Mill27 Jun 199622 Aug 202414
Tadcaster post 20061 Jul 200820 Aug 20243
Harewood14 Aug 202414 Aug 20241
Castley18 Jul 199624 Jun 201413
Knotford15 Aug 199623 Jun 201416
Ulleskelf25 Jul 19968 Jul 201011
Tadcaster pre 200624 Jul 199630 Jun 20056
Wetherby Grange12 Aug 199728 Jun 20057
Ryther20 Jul 200420 Jul 20041
Burley Bypass31 Jul 199614 Jul 20044
Appletreewick A7 Aug 199713 Aug 20033
Linton Stepping Stones3 Aug 199612 Aug 20034
Addingham8 Aug 199611 Aug 20038
Ilkley1 Aug 19965 Aug 20035
Nunnery7 Aug 199628 Jul 20036
Boston Spa19 Jul 199618 Jul 20025
Conistone d/s28 Jul 200028 Jul 20001
Appletreewick B (lower site)9 Aug 199618 Aug 19993
U/s Boston Spa Weir16 Sept 199616 Sept 19984
Smaws Ings16 Aug 199616 Sept 19983
Collingham26 Jul 199613 Aug 19983
Strid d/s (Bolton Abbey)6 Aug 19966 Aug 19961

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

1996–2025

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 38 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
15 cm
Lower quarter
21 cm
Median
30 cm
Upper quarter
46.3 cm
Largest
83 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wharfe

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

Minnow Bullhead Stone loach Brown / sea trout Chub Grayling

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 →