RiverFish

Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the Main River Axe

Largest measured stone loach: 11.8 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Axe was 11.8 cm, recorded at Downstream Kilmington STW (Dip) on 25 May 2022.

Across 203 measured stone loach, the median measured length was 8 cm.

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

See stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation7 June 2024Downstream Slymlake (5 min) · 107 fish
Largest measured stone loach
11.8 cm
Median length
8 cm
Fish measured
203
Survey locations
22

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured stone loach

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
11.8 cm25 May 2022Downstream Kilmington STW (Dip)161088
11.6 cm25 May 2022Slymlake Farm (Dip)161087
11 cm19 Jul 2021Clapton (Sp)160106
10.9 cm7 Jun 2017Axe Ford (Te)150648
10.8 cm19 Jul 2021Clapton (Sp)160106
10.6 cm25 May 2022Slymlake Farm (Dip)161087
10.6 cm25 May 2022Slymlake Farm (Dip)161087
10.5 cm21 Jul 2021Axminster Town Weir (Sp)160681
10.5 cm14 Jul 2016Clapton (Sp)148473
10.5 cm14 Jul 2016Slymlake Farm (Dip)148472

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

Explore the river

Where stone loach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one stone loach 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 stone loach
Wadbrook Farm (5 min)8 Aug 20237 Jun 20242
Downstream Slymlake (5 min)18 May 20237 Jun 20242
Weycroft (5 min)1 Aug 19974 Jun 20244
Upstream Whitford Bridge (5 min)1 Aug 20234 Jun 20242
Upstream Willhay Lane Br (5 min)13 Sept 20233 Jun 20242
Upstream Bow Bridge (5 min)21 Jul 20233 Jun 20242
Bagley Hill (5 min)27 Jul 20233 Jun 20242
Broom Bridge (5 min)8 Aug 202330 May 20242
Upstream Kilmington STW (5 min)17 May 202321 May 20242
Axminster Showground (5 min)17 May 202321 May 20242
Woodhayne (5 min)1 Aug 202320 May 20242
Nunford Bridge (5 min)1 Aug 202320 May 20242
Axe Ford (Te)28 May 20041 Jun 202312
Slymlake Farm (Dip)15 Sept 199718 May 20237
Downstream Kilmington STW (Dip)25 May 202218 May 20232
Axe-Yarty Confluence (Dip)*15 Sept 199717 May 20235
Axminster Town Weir (Sp)4 Aug 199721 Jul 20216
Forde Abbey (Sp/WFD)14 Aug 200020 Jul 20216
Clapton (Sp)30 Jul 199719 Jul 20216
Bere Chapel (Sp)*30 Jul 199716 May 20065
Seaborough (Sp)*30 Jul 199728 May 20043
A3052 - Axe Bridge (Dip)*15 Sept 199715 Sept 19971

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

1997–2024

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded stone loach that year.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 203 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.4 cm
Lower quarter
7 cm
Median
8 cm
Upper quarter
8.6 cm
Largest
11.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Axe

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

Bullhead Minnow European eel Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon 3-spined stickleback

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 →