European eel · Anguilla anguilla

European eel in the Western Streams

Largest measured european eel: 60.5 cm

The largest european eel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Western Streams was 60.5 cm, recorded at Ferring Rife on 11 June 2025.

Across 21 measured european eel, the median measured length was 40 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 9 european eel. The median was 3.9 oz (0.11 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 14 oz (0.397 kg).

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

See european eel records across England →

Most recent observation11 June 2025Ferring Rife · 12 fish

Largest measured european eel: 60.5 cm
Median length: 40 cm
Fish measured: 21
Survey locations: 3

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
60.5 cm	11 Jun 2025	Ferring Rife	176938
56.1 cm	11 Jun 2025	Ferring Rife	176938
54 cm	25 Sept 2007	Broad Rife	106914
50.2 cm	25 Sept 2007	Broad Rife	106914
48.5 cm	11 Jun 2025	Ferring Rife	176938
48 cm	25 Sept 2007	Broad Rife	106914
44 cm	11 Jun 2025	Ferring Rife	176938
41.5 cm	23 Oct 2001	Chichester Canal sq	22745
41 cm	11 Jun 2025	Ferring Rife	176938
40.3 cm	23 Oct 2001	Chichester Canal sq	22745

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
Ferring Rife	11 Jun 2025	11 Jun 2025	1
Broad Rife	25 Sept 2007	25 Sept 2007	1
Chichester Canal sq	23 Oct 2001	23 Oct 2001	1

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

2001–2025

Survey records by year

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

101

002

003

004

005

006

107

008

009

010

011

012

013

014

015

016

017

018

019

020

021

022

023

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 21 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 13 cm
Lower quarter: 32.3 cm
Median: 40 cm
Upper quarter: 48 cm
Largest: 60.5 cm

100–199 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 9 european eel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 1.7 oz (0.047 kg)
Lower quarter: 2.7 oz (0.077 kg)
Median: 3.9 oz (0.11 kg)
Upper quarter: 9 oz (0.256 kg)
Heaviest: 14 oz (0.397 kg)

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

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 →