RiverFish

Dace · Leuciscus leuciscus

Dace in the Bristol Avon main river

Largest measured dace: 26.2 cm

The largest dace measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Bristol Avon main river was 26.2 cm, recorded at d/s Malmesbury bypass on 20 May 1999.

Across 1,459 measured dace, the median measured length was 11 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 252 dace. The median was 0.9 oz (0.0245 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 9.6 oz (0.272 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 dace records across England →

Most recent observation23 August 2023Chippenham (Te) · 1 fish
Largest measured dace
26.2 cm
Median length
11 cm
Fish measured
1,459
Survey locations
9

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured dace

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
26.2 cm20 May 1999d/s Malmesbury bypass22023
26 cm20 May 1999d/s Malmesbury bypass22023
25.3 cm20 May 1999d/s Malmesbury bypass22023
23.9 cm26 May 1999u/s Kingsmead Mill22265
23.5 cm28 Aug 2013Great Somerford (Te)138331
23.4 cm30 Aug 2011Great Somerford (Te)127594
23.3 cm23 Aug 2017Great Somerford (Te)151351
22.8 cm5 Jul 2006Great Somerford (Te)99929
22.5 cm29 Sept 2004Great Somerford (Te)82701
22.4 cm29 Sept 2004Great Somerford (Te)82701

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

Explore the river

Where dace were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one dace 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 surveyedFirst recordedLast recordedVisits finding dace
Christian Malford (Te)19 May 199923 Aug 202312
Chippenham (Te)9 Sept 200323 Aug 202314
Great Somerford (Te)28 Aug 200222 Aug 202314
Lacock (Te)20 Aug 200321 Aug 201913
Melksham16 Sept 201530 Aug 20173
Rawlings Farm (Te)13 Jul 200513 Jul 20051
Cow Bridge27 May 199927 May 19991
u/s Kingsmead Mill26 May 199926 May 19991
d/s Malmesbury bypass20 May 199920 May 19991

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

1999–2023

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 1,459 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.1 cm
Lower quarter
7.4 cm
Median
11 cm
Upper quarter
15.6 cm
Largest
26.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 252 dace. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
0.4 oz (0.012 kg)
Median
0.9 oz (0.0245 kg)
Upper quarter
2.2 oz (0.0622 kg)
Heaviest
9.6 oz (0.272 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 Pike European eel

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 →