Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the Bristol Avon main river

Largest measured barbel: 68.2 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Bristol Avon main river was 68.2 cm, recorded at Christian Malford (Te) on 2 August 2006.

Across 339 measured barbel, the median measured length was 14.9 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 93 barbel. The median was 3.9 oz (0.11 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 11 lb 6.8 oz (5.18 kg).

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

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation3 September 2024Chippenham (Te) · 3 fish

Largest measured barbel: 68.2 cm
Median length: 14.9 cm
Fish measured: 339
Survey locations: 6

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured barbel

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
68.2 cm	2 Aug 2006	Christian Malford (Te)	101184
66.5 cm	19 May 1999	Christian Malford (Te)	22283
63.9 cm	19 Aug 2009	Great Somerford (Te)	118406
62.7 cm	23 Aug 2017	Lacock (Te)	151353
62 cm	2 Aug 2006	Christian Malford (Te)	101184
61 cm	9 Jun 2004	Christian Malford (Te)	80055
60.2 cm	13 Oct 2009	Chippenham (Te)	119320
60 cm	5 Jul 2006	Great Somerford (Te)	99929
58.9 cm	2 Aug 2006	Christian Malford (Te)	101184
56.8 cm	29 Sept 2004	Great Somerford (Te)	82701

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where barbel were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one barbel 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 barbel
Chippenham (Te)	9 Sept 2003	3 Sept 2024	10
Christian Malford (Te)	19 May 1999	23 Aug 2023	9
Lacock (Te)	20 Aug 2003	21 Aug 2019	13
Melksham	16 Sept 2015	30 Aug 2017	3
Great Somerford (Te)	28 Aug 2002	23 Aug 2017	13
Rawlings Farm (Te)	23 Jul 2003	8 Sept 2004	2

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

1999–2024

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded barbel that year.

199

000

001

102

503

404

405

406

107

008

309

310

211

012

413

314

315

516

317

018

219

020

021

022

123

124

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 339 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 3.5 cm
Lower quarter: 10.2 cm
Median: 14.9 cm
Upper quarter: 24.4 cm
Largest: 68.2 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

142

200–299 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 93 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 0.1 oz (0.002 kg)
Lower quarter: 1.3 oz (0.036 kg)
Median: 3.9 oz (0.11 kg)
Upper quarter: 2 lb 13.5 oz (1.29 kg)
Heaviest: 11 lb 6.8 oz (5.18 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Bristol Avon main river

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

Roach Minnow Perch Chub Dace Pike

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 →