Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the Main Avon Sites

Largest measured barbel: 78.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main Avon Sites was 78.5 cm, recorded at A5R Ringwood to Bickerley Stream Confluence on 28 April 2005.

Across 336 measured barbel, the median measured length was 58.8 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 5 barbel. The median was 14 lb 12.2 oz (6.7 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 15 lb 0.2 oz (6.81 kg).

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

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation8 October 2025Ringwood Downstream A31 · 4 fish

Largest measured barbel: 78.5 cm
Median length: 58.8 cm
Fish measured: 336
Survey locations: 22

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
78.5 cm	28 Apr 2005	A5R Ringwood to Bickerley Stream Confluence	84473
77.3 cm	22 Apr 2008	A2R Downton-Breamore	110818
76.2 cm	24 Apr 2008	A4R Ibsley to Ringwood	110832
75.5 cm	26 Apr 2005	A4R Ibsley to Ringwood	84453
75 cm	11 May 2011	A7R Royalty Gt.Weir to Clay Pool	126200
74.5 cm	28 Apr 2005	A5R Ringwood to Bickerley Stream Confluence	84473
74.3 cm	17 May 2005	A6R Avon Turn - Winkton	84560
74 cm	28 Apr 2005	A5R Ringwood to Bickerley Stream Confluence	84473
74 cm	14 Apr 2005	A3R Burgate to East Mills	84379
73.8 cm	13 Apr 2005	A2R Downton-Breamore	84381

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
Ringwood Downstream A31	9 Aug 2019	8 Oct 2025	4
Fordingbridge Rec	22 Oct 2004	14 Aug 2024	5
Downton	19 Aug 2021	14 Aug 2024	2
Royalty Downstream Railway Bridge	16 Aug 2023	16 Aug 2023	1
d/s bottom weir at Bickton	8 Aug 2019	15 Aug 2023	3
Salisbury Wetherspoons CPUE	17 Aug 2021	15 Aug 2023	3
Wattons Ford Lower	7 Sept 2022	7 Sept 2022	1
Wattons Ford	5 Aug 2014	7 Sept 2022	3
Downstream Wattons Ford	7 Sept 2022	7 Sept 2022	1
London Anglers Salisbury	6 Sept 2022	6 Sept 2022	1
River Avon at Maltings Car Park	14 Oct 2021	14 Oct 2021	1
d/s Standlynch Mill Pool	19 Sept 2008	19 Aug 2021	2
A7R Royalty Gt.Weir to Clay Pool	18 May 2004	11 May 2011	5
A4R Ibsley to Ringwood	25 May 2004	9 May 2011	5
A5R Ringwood to Bickerley Stream Confluence	27 May 2004	5 May 2011	5
A2R Downton-Breamore	14 Jun 2004	3 May 2011	5
Navigation	19 Sept 2008	19 Sept 2008	1
A1R Salisbury to Kitts Island	3 Jun 2004	8 May 2008	3
A6R Avon Turn - Winkton	20 May 2004	6 May 2008	3
A3R Burgate to East Mills	1 Jun 2004	14 Apr 2005	2
Burgate Manor Farm	19 Oct 2004	19 Oct 2004	1
Hatchpool at Great Weir	10 Aug 2004	10 Aug 2004	1

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

2004–2025

Survey records by year

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

1004

705

006

407

808

009

010

411

012

013

114

015

016

017

018

219

020

621

822

523

224

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 336 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 3.1 cm
Lower quarter: 23.8 cm
Median: 58.8 cm
Upper quarter: 63 cm
Largest: 78.5 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

106

700–799 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 5 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 12 lb 12.2 oz (5.79 kg)
Lower quarter: 14 lb 8.2 oz (6.58 kg)
Median: 14 lb 12.2 oz (6.7 kg)
Upper quarter: 14 lb 14.2 oz (6.75 kg)
Heaviest: 15 lb 0.2 oz (6.81 kg)

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

More fish in this river

Explore the Main Avon Sites

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

Bullhead Minnow Stone loach Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon 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 →