European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Swanside Beck

Largest measured european eel: 60 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Swanside Beck was 60 cm, recorded at Smithies Bridge (A59) on 3 September 2013.

Across 58 measured european eel, the median measured length was 33.5 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Swanside Beck.

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation2 June 2026Smithies Bridge (A59) · 2 fish

Largest measured european eel: 60 cm
Median length: 33.5 cm
Fish measured: 58
Survey locations: 5

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
60 cm	3 Sept 2013	Smithies Bridge (A59)	138437
60 cm	31 Jul 2008	Nr Stopper Lane	112230
60 cm	6 Oct 1992	Nr Stopper Lane	112425
53 cm	3 Aug 2005	Smithies Bridge (A59)	87145
52 cm	24 Jun 2022	Smithies Bridge (A59)	161096
51 cm	14 Jul 2014	Smithies Bridge (A59)	142297
51 cm	18 May 2010	Smithies Bridge (A59)	121720
50 cm	12 Sept 2008	Nr Cowgill Farm	114433
50 cm	6 Oct 1992	Nr Stopper Lane	112425
48.5 cm	24 Jun 2022	Smithies Bridge (A59)	161096

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
Smithies Bridge (A59)	26 Jul 1991	2 Jun 2026	15
Nr Cowgill Farm	31 Jul 1991	12 Sept 2008	3
Nr Stopper Lane	6 Oct 1992	31 Jul 2008	3
Upstream Railway Bridge	11 Sept 1995	11 Sept 1995	1
ptc Ings Beck	29 Aug 1991	7 Oct 1992	2

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

1991–2026

Survey records by year

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

391

392

093

094

395

096

097

098

099

000

001

102

003

104

105

106

107

308

109

110

011

012

113

114

015

016

017

018

019

020

021

122

023

124

025

126

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 58 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 11.8 cm
Lower quarter: 25 cm
Median: 33.5 cm
Upper quarter: 40.8 cm
Largest: 60 cm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Swanside Beck

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Brook lamprey

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 →