RiverFish

Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the Main River Mole

Largest measured stone loach: 11.8 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Mole was 11.8 cm, recorded at Parkhouse* on 26 July 2021.

Across 129 measured stone loach, the median measured length was 7.8 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 Mole.

See stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation19 August 2025Mole Bride (Dip) · 60 fish
Largest measured stone loach
11.8 cm
Median length
7.8 cm
Fish measured
129
Survey locations
14

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 cm26 Jul 2021Parkhouse*160002
10.8 cm1 Aug 2019Upstream Riverside Caravan Park155019
10.7 cm26 Jul 2021Parkhouse*160002
10.7 cm27 Sept 2018Head Bridge (Dip)153615
10.6 cm18 Sept 2018Parkhouse*153603
10.5 cm19 May 2022Parkhouse*161071
10.5 cm27 Sept 2018Wampford Bridge (Dip)153618
10.4 cm26 Jul 2021Parkhouse*160002
10.4 cm27 Sept 2018Wampford Bridge (Dip)153618
10.4 cm18 Sept 2018Parkhouse*153603

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
Mole Bride (Dip)2 Sept 199619 Aug 20255
Wampford Bridge (Dip)3 Sept 199618 Aug 20255
South Molton Rugby Ground (Sp)5 Aug 20255 Aug 20251
North Molton (5 min)13 Aug 199618 Sept 20234
Bicknor Top Site (5 min)18 Sept 202318 Sept 20231
Upstream Riverside Caravan Park1 Aug 201924 May 20234
Parkhouse*18 Sept 201824 May 20234
Little Hele Wood (Dip)*2 Sept 199924 May 20235
Head Bridge (Dip)3 Sept 199627 Sept 20184
Coppice Field (Sp)*27 Jul 20072 Sept 20093
Bicknor Bridge - coppice (Dip)*19 Oct 200719 Oct 20071
Alswear (Dip)*21 Aug 199630 Aug 20053
Lenton (Dip)*3 Sept 19963 Sept 19961
Higher Water Town (Dip)*3 Sept 19963 Sept 19961

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

1996–2025

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 129 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.4 cm
Lower quarter
7.1 cm
Median
7.8 cm
Upper quarter
9 cm
Largest
11.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Mole

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

Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon Bullhead European eel Minnow

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 →