Direct individual measurements
Largest bitterling by waterway
Ranked by the largest individual measured in EA surveys. The sample size shows how many valid length measurements underpin each waterway's figures.
| Rank | River or waterway | Largest | Median | Measured | Measured at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old West RiverAnglian | 9.9 cm (3.9 in) | 6.3 cm (2.5 in) | 925 | 14 Sept 2017Stretham Old Engine |
| 2 | River Middle OuseAnglian | 9.9 cm (3.9 in) | 6.5 cm (2.6 in) | 126 | 26 Sept 2016Holywell |
| 3 | Counter DrainAnglian | 9 cm (3.5 in) | 6.2 cm (2.4 in) | 17 | 21 Mar 2023Welney |
| 4 | River DS CamAnglian | 8.8 cm (3.5 in) | 6.3 cm (2.5 in) | 869 | 18 Oct 1996Fen Ditton |
| 5 | River Ely OuseAnglian | 8.8 cm (3.5 in) | 6.3 cm (2.5 in) | 594 | 19 Sept 2023Sandhill Bridge |
| 6 | Relief ChannelAnglian | 8.7 cm (3.4 in) | 6.3 cm (2.5 in) | 25 | 8 Aug 2023Denver Sluice |
| 7 | River DS WisseyAnglian | 8.6 cm (3.4 in) | 6.3 cm (2.5 in) | 213 | 3 Jul 2012Catsholme Pump |
| 8 | River DS LarkAnglian | 7.8 cm (3.1 in) | 6.2 cm (2.4 in) | 365 | 25 Jul 2000Lark Grange |
| 9 | River Reach LodeAnglian | 7.8 cm (3.1 in) | 5.8 cm (2.3 in) | 338 | 29 May 1997Hallards Fen |
| 10 | River DS Lt OuseAnglian | 7.7 cm (3 in) | 6.2 cm (2.4 in) | 76 | 30 Jul 2024Little Ouse Village |
Equal maximum lengths are ordered by sample size. Measurements are shown as recorded and are not converted into estimated weights.
4,670 fish measured
Measured bitterling lengths
The median divides the measured sample in half. This distribution describes surveyed fish, not every bitterling living in England.
Only positive individual lengths that pass RiverFish's general measurement checks are included. Each bar covers a 20 mm range.
Latest EA evidence
Latest bitterling observations
The ten most recent survey visits that recorded bitterling in named waterways.
| Date | River or waterway | Survey location | Fish recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Jun 2026 | Counter Drain | Welney | 3 |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Counter Drain | Salters Lode | Not supplied |
| 2 Oct 2025 | River DS Cam | Clayhithe Bridge | 58 |
| 1 Oct 2025 | River DS Cam | Baits Bite Lock | 14 |
| 30 Sept 2025 | River DS Cam | Fen Ditton | 3 |
| 25 Sept 2025 | River DS Cam | Midsummer Common | 4 |
| 24 Sept 2025 | River Wicken Lode | Wicken | 2 |
| 28 Aug 2025 | River Reach Lode | Reach | 11 |
| 8 Apr 2025 | St Ives Chub Stream | St Ives Chub Stream | 6 |
| 17 Sept 2024 | River DS Lark | Branch Bridge | 44 |
A survey record confirms bitterling at that place and time. It does not show present-day abundance or fishing access.
318 positive survey visits
Survey distribution
EA surveys recorded bitterling at 80 locations across 25 named waterways represented on RiverFish.
| Region | Waterways | Locations | Survey visits | Latest record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anglian | 19 | 71 | 303 | 10 Jun 2026 |
| North West | 6 | 9 | 15 | 23 Feb 2009 |
16 detailed pages
Bitterling by river
Open any river-specific page for its measured lengths, largest surveyed individuals, locations and observation history.
Anglian 15 pages
North West 1 pages
How to read this page
Survey measurements, not angling records
Environment Agency surveys are designed to monitor fish populations. Their largest measurement is not equivalent to a verified rod-and-line record, and the survey sample does not include every river or every bitterling.
Waterway groups with administrative or mixed-river labels are excluded from the headline national totals and rankings. Their eligible river-specific pages remain available in the directory so no published destination is hidden.
The fish records use the Environment Agency source snapshot dated 10 August 2026.
How RiverFish handles the data →