European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Roman River (Headwaters)

Largest measured european eel: 53.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Roman River (Headwaters) was 53.5 cm, recorded at Colchester Zoo on 18 March 2003.

Across 103 measured european eel, the median measured length was 32 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 101 european eel. The median was 1.8 oz (0.051 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 9 oz (0.254 kg).

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Roman River (Headwaters).

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation5 October 2025Colchester Zoo · 2 fish

Largest measured european eel: 53.5 cm
Median length: 32 cm
Fish measured: 103
Survey locations: 4

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
53.5 cm	18 Mar 2003	Colchester Zoo	79028
52.5 cm	18 Mar 2003	Aldham Hall	79027
48.1 cm	6 Mar 2009	Colchester Zoo	117105
47.5 cm	18 Mar 2003	Swan Bridge	79133
46.7 cm	5 Feb 2015	Colchester Zoo	144595
46.2 cm	18 Mar 2003	Aldham Hall	79027
46 cm	18 Mar 2003	Swan Bridge	79133
45.7 cm	18 Mar 2003	Aldham Hall	79027
44.3 cm	21 Oct 2019	Colchester Zoo	156050
43.5 cm	18 Feb 2009	Swan Bridge	117121

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
Colchester Zoo	23 Jan 1997	5 Oct 2025	12
Swan Bridge	23 Jan 1997	18 Feb 2009	3
Aldham Hall	22 Jan 1997	18 Feb 2009	3
Copford Hall	23 Jan 1997	23 Jan 1997	1

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

1997–2025

Survey records by year

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

497

098

099

000

001

002

303

004

005

006

007

008

309

010

011

012

013

014

115

016

117

118

119

020

121

122

123

124

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 103 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 10.2 cm
Lower quarter: 26 cm
Median: 32 cm
Upper quarter: 36.4 cm
Largest: 53.5 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 101 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.1 oz (0.002 kg)
Lower quarter: 1 oz (0.028 kg)
Median: 1.8 oz (0.051 kg)
Upper quarter: 2.8 oz (0.08 kg)
Heaviest: 9 oz (0.254 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the Roman River (Headwaters)

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

Stone loach 3-spined stickleback Brown / sea trout Roach Dace Minnow

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 →