Direct individual measurements
Largest spined loach 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 | River WithamAnglian | 12.6 cm (5 in) | 8 cm (3.1 in) | 150 | 15 Jul 2003Kirkstead Bridge (Witham) |
| 2 | River AnkerMidlands | 12.3 cm (4.8 in) | 6.8 cm (2.7 in) | 380 | 9 Apr 2015Leathermill |
| 3 | River Lymn FMUAnglian | 12.1 cm (4.8 in) | 7.4 cm (2.9 in) | 37 | 16 Aug 2006Mill Bridge |
| 4 | Trader/Maud Foster DrainAnglian | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) | 8.2 cm (3.2 in) | 12 | 5 Jun 2002Horncastle Road |
| 5 | River StourAnglian | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | 7.6 cm (3 in) | 464 | 4 Oct 2006Great Thurlow |
| 6 | River ToveAnglian | 11.3 cm (4.4 in) | 7.9 cm (3.1 in) | 41 | 3 Feb 1998Bozenham Mill |
| 7 | Barlings EauAnglian | 11.3 cm (4.4 in) | 7.2 cm (2.8 in) | 38 | 20 Jun 1988Newball Wood |
| 8 | Watton BrookAnglian | 11.3 cm (4.4 in) | 8.8 cm (3.5 in) | 12 | 6 Feb 1990DS Carbrooke |
| 9 | Medlam DrainAnglian | 11.2 cm (4.4 in) | 8.7 cm (3.4 in) | 18 | 9 Aug 2011Frithville |
| 10 | Moretons LeamAnglian | 11.1 cm (4.4 in) | 4.9 cm (1.9 in) | 511 | 9 Sept 2011Little Bridge |
Equal maximum lengths are ordered by sample size. Measurements are shown as recorded and are not converted into estimated weights.
4,428 fish measured
Measured spined loach lengths
The median divides the measured sample in half. This distribution describes surveyed fish, not every spined loach 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 spined loach observations
The ten most recent survey visits that recorded spined loach in named waterways.
| Date | River or waterway | Survey location | Fish recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 2026 | River Burwell Lode | Burwell | 2 |
| 27 May 2026 | River Mease | Stones Bridge, Clifton Campville | Not supplied |
| 22 May 2026 | River Box (Main Reaches) | Stour Confluence | 3 |
| 21 May 2026 | River Mease | Netherseal | Not supplied |
| 21 May 2026 | River Mease | Downstream A42 Road Bridge | Not supplied |
| 13 May 2026 | Brunstock Beck | 1193.00 Ds M6 | Not supplied |
| 30 Apr 2026 | River Anker | Stationfields, Tamworth | Not supplied |
| 29 Apr 2026 | River Welland | Upstream Lubenham Road Bridge | 1 |
| 28 Apr 2026 | River Anker | Fieldon Bridge | Not supplied |
| 15 Apr 2026 | River Tove | Milford Leys Farm | Not supplied |
A survey record confirms spined loach at that place and time. It does not show present-day abundance or fishing access.
1,225 positive survey visits
Survey distribution
EA surveys recorded spined loach at 544 locations across 177 named waterways represented on RiverFish.
| Region | Waterways | Locations | Survey visits | Latest record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anglian | 121 | 420 | 935 | 9 Jun 2026 |
| Midlands | 42 | 110 | 275 | 27 May 2026 |
| North West | 7 | 7 | 8 | 13 May 2026 |
| South East | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 Sept 2009 |
| Yorkshire and North East | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 Mar 2025 |
| South West | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19 Aug 2015 |
67 detailed pages
Spined loach by river
Open any river-specific page for its measured lengths, largest surveyed individuals, locations and observation history.
Anglian 55 pages
Midlands 12 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 spined loach.
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 →