RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the Main river sites

Largest measured barbel: 74.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main river sites was 74.5 cm, recorded at S4R Dudsbury to Merritown on 22 May 2008.

Across 83 measured barbel, the median measured length was 10.6 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 sites.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation18 September 2025Muscliffe- Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre · 3 fish
Largest measured barbel
74.5 cm
Median length
10.6 cm
Fish measured
83
Survey locations
13

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured barbel

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
74.5 cm22 May 2008S4R Dudsbury to Merritown111094
70.9 cm16 May 2013S4R Dudsbury to Merritown136064
70.3 cm16 May 2013S4R Dudsbury to Merritown136064
67 cm26 May 2005S4R Dudsbury to Merritown84663
64.5 cm17 Jun 2004S4R Dudsbury to Merritown80146
64.1 cm17 Jun 2004S4R Dudsbury to Merritown80146
63 cm7 Jun 2007S4R Dudsbury to Merritown105485
62.4 cm22 May 2008S4R Dudsbury to Merritown111094
61.9 cm7 Jun 2007S4R Dudsbury to Merritown105485
61.1 cm7 Jun 2007S4R Dudsbury to Merritown105485

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 surveyedFirst recordedLast recordedVisits finding barbel
Muscliffe- Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre17 Sept 201918 Sept 20255
Longham Bridge21 Nov 200318 Sept 20255
Kinson21 Sept 202218 Sept 20254
Throop d/s Glens Weir11 Sept 200921 Sept 20224
Canford Mill Stream30 May 201830 May 20181
S4R Dudsbury to Merritown17 Jun 200416 May 20135
Throop21 Oct 20035 Sept 20124
Throop u/s Glens Weir11 Sept 200911 Sept 20091
Throop d/s gauging Weir11 Sept 200911 Sept 20091
S3R Corfe Mullen to Cowgrove22 Jun 20044 Jun 20092
Muscliffe8 Sept 200313 Oct 20052
Canford School (Bottom Site S3S)11 Oct 200511 Oct 20051
A347 Road Bridge11 Oct 200511 Oct 20051

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

2003–2025

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 83 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.6 cm
Lower quarter
6.4 cm
Median
10.6 cm
Upper quarter
32.5 cm
Largest
74.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main river sites

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

Minnow Bullhead European eel Dace Stone loach Chub

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 →