Direct individual measurements
Largest common goby 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 | Great Eau FMUAnglian | 7.4 cm (2.9 in) | 6.6 cm (2.6 in) | 40 | 25 Oct 1989Upstream R/B Sea Doors |
| 2 | River Heigham SoundAnglian | 7 cm (2.8 in) | 5 cm (2 in) | 19 | 29 Sept 198659 |
| 3 | South Holland Main DrainAnglian | 7 cm (2.8 in) | 6 cm (2.4 in) | 9 | 29 Sept 1997Holland Lodge Farm |
| 4 | River Tidal WaveneyAnglian | 6.9 cm (2.7 in) | 5.2 cm (2 in) | 6 | 29 Sept 1999Downstream Landspring Beck |
| 5 | River Tidal YareAnglian | 6.7 cm (2.6 in) | 5.3 cm (2.1 in) | 14 | 3 Nov 1991Downstream Cantley Dyke |
| 6 | Horsey MereAnglian | 6.5 cm (2.6 in) | 2.7 cm (1.1 in) | 15 | 22 Oct 198684 |
| 7 | River Hickling BroadAnglian | 6.5 cm (2.6 in) | 6.3 cm (2.5 in) | 3 | 1 Oct 198662 |
| 8 | New CutAnglian | 6.2 cm (2.4 in) | 5.8 cm (2.3 in) | 6 | 5 Oct 1987338 |
| 9 | Relief ChannelAnglian | 6 cm (2.4 in) | 4 cm (1.6 in) | 3 | 24 Aug 2005Tail Sluice |
| 10 | River South Dike FMUAnglian | 6 cm (2.4 in) | 6 cm (2.4 in) | 1 | 31 Oct 1989Grange Farm |
Equal maximum lengths are ordered by sample size. Measurements are shown as recorded and are not converted into estimated weights.
328 fish measured
Measured common goby lengths
The median divides the measured sample in half. This distribution describes surveyed fish, not every common goby 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 common goby observations
The ten most recent survey visits that recorded common goby in named waterways.
| Date | River or waterway | Survey location | Fish recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct 2017 | River Trent | North Clifton Net | 12 |
| 11 Oct 2016 | River Trent | North Clifton Net | 3 |
| 29 Sept 2016 | River Severn | Wainlodes Fry Site | 27 |
| 21 Sept 2016 | River Main Strat | Rodd's Bridge | 2 |
| 16 Oct 2015 | River Trent | North Clifton Net | 1 |
| 26 Sept 2014 | River Severn | Wainlodes Fry Site | 115 |
| 22 Sept 2014 | River Trent | North Clifton Net | 16 |
| 15 Aug 2014 | River Conder | Forton Lock Bridge | 16 |
| 18 Sept 2013 | River Trent | North Clifton Net | 1 |
| 10 Oct 2012 | River Trent | North Clifton Net | 11 |
A survey record confirms common goby at that place and time. It does not show present-day abundance or fishing access.
62 positive survey visits
Survey distribution
EA surveys recorded common goby at 45 locations across 27 named waterways represented on RiverFish.
| Region | Waterways | Locations | Survey visits | Latest record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anglian | 16 | 31 | 38 | 24 Aug 2005 |
| Midlands | 4 | 5 | 15 | 13 Oct 2017 |
| South West | 3 | 3 | 3 | 21 Sept 2016 |
| South East | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 Aug 2011 |
| North West | 1 | 1 | 1 | 15 Aug 2014 |
| Yorkshire and North East | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 Sept 2002 |
7 detailed pages
Common goby by river
Open any river-specific page for its measured lengths, largest surveyed individuals, locations and observation history.
Anglian 5 pages
Midlands 1 pages
South East 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 common goby.
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 →