European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the River Witham

Largest measured european eel: 87.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Witham was 87.5 cm, recorded at Upstream Syston Weir on 15 September 2011.

Across 779 measured european eel, the median measured length was 43.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 17 european eel. The median was 4.4 oz (0.124 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 15.7 oz (0.446 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 Witham.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation7 June 2024Marston Bridge · 1 fish

Largest measured european eel: 87.5 cm
Median length: 43.5 cm
Fish measured: 779
Survey locations: 40

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
87.5 cm	15 Sept 2011	Upstream Syston Weir	128811
87 cm	2 Sept 2011	Marston Bridge	128423
85 cm	18 Jul 2006	Five Mile House Bridge (Witham)	100228
82 cm	1 Oct 2009	Sleeper Bridge (Witham)	119258
81 cm	3 Sept 2013	Paper Mill	138535
80 cm	16 Apr 2008	Upstream Beckingham Bridge	110824
76.5 cm	9 Sept 2014	Marston Bridge	142819
76.5 cm	2 Sept 2011	Hougham Mill	128809
76 cm	2 Sept 2011	Marston Bridge	128423
75 cm	12 May 2011	Upstream Beckingham Bridge	128439

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
Marston Bridge	16 Sept 1985	7 Jun 2024	11
Easton Park	7 Jun 2023	7 Jun 2023	1
Upstream Syston Weir	26 Sept 1985	6 Sept 2017	7
Upstream Beckingham Bridge	10 Sept 1985	3 May 2017	16
Claypole Bridge	9 Sept 1985	2 May 2017	17
Haddington Bridge	16 Aug 1985	26 Apr 2017	15
Upstream Foston Ford	5 Sept 1985	25 Apr 2017	16
Paper Mill	4 May 1988	31 Aug 2016	10
Upstream Elinors Weir	23 Sept 1985	19 Sept 2011	2
Hougham Mill	29 Aug 1985	2 Sept 2011	3
Sleeper Bridge (Witham)	6 Sept 1985	1 Oct 2009	5
Ex Power Station (Witham)	1 Jul 1985	2 Jul 2009	8
Kirks Farm R/B (Witham)	22 Jul 1985	27 Jul 2006	7
Pelhams Land R/B (Witham)	18 Jul 1985	26 Jul 2006	9
Short Ferry (Witham)	4 Jul 1985	20 Jul 2006	7
Five Mile House Bridge (Witham)	3 Jul 1985	18 Jul 2006	6
Tattershall Bridge (Witham)	15 Jul 1985	13 Jul 2006	10
Kirkstead Bridge (Witham)	10 Jul 1985	26 Jul 2004	8
Upstream Bracebridge Bridge	16 Jun 1988	23 Jun 2003	4
Tunnard Farm (Witham)	8 Aug 1988	29 Jun 2000	3
Chapel Hill (Witham)	24 Jul 1985	21 Jun 2000	5
Thorpe Tilney Road (Witham)	11 Jul 1985	15 Jun 2000	5
Beech House Farm L/B (Witham)	17 Jul 1985	30 Jun 1998	4
Southrey (Witham)	8 Jul 1985	11 Jun 1998	3
Downstream R/B Beet Factory (Witham)	25 Jul 1985	10 Jun 1998	4
Upstream R/B Bardney Bridge (Witham)	13 Jun 1994	9 Jun 1998	2
North Hykeham Bridge	23 Oct 1985	18 Sept 1997	3
Blackmoor Farm Witham	9 Oct 1985	17 Sept 1997	2
Bassingham Upstream Bridge	18 Sept 1985	10 Sept 1997	4
Stapleford	11 Sept 1985	24 Jul 1997	5
A607 Road Bridge	28 Aug 1985	27 May 1997	4
Great Ponton	13 May 1991	20 May 1997	3
Dixon Street	25 Oct 1985	27 Sept 1994	3
Stixwould (Witham)	9 Jul 1985	22 Jun 1994	3
Greetwell Hall (Witham)	2 Jul 1985	7 Jun 1994	4
Claypole B	22 Apr 1994	22 Apr 1994	1
Marston Mill	21 May 1991	21 May 1991	1
Queen Elizabeth Park	12 Sept 1985	20 May 1991	2
Barkston Bridge	25 Sept 1985	25 Sept 1985	1
Hougham Mill - Marston Mill	4 Sept 1985	4 Sept 1985	1

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

1985–2024

Survey records by year

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

3285

086

087

1988

089

090

2491

092

093

2794

095

096

1297

1198

099

700

001

1002

803

804

605

906

707

408

609

710

911

112

213

614

015

116

617

018

019

020

021

022

223

124

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 779 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 10 cm
Lower quarter: 31.5 cm
Median: 43.5 cm
Upper quarter: 54.5 cm
Largest: 87.5 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

134

300–399 mm

168

400–499 mm

181

500–599 mm

136

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 17 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 1.3 oz (0.038 kg)
Lower quarter: 2.6 oz (0.075 kg)
Median: 4.4 oz (0.124 kg)
Upper quarter: 10.9 oz (0.308 kg)
Heaviest: 15.7 oz (0.446 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 Witham

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

Dace Roach Gudgeon Perch Pike Stone loach

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 →