RiverFish

Dace · Leuciscus leuciscus

Dace in the River Aire

Largest measured dace: 25.5 cm

The largest dace measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Aire was 25.5 cm, recorded at Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck on 26 May 1998.

Across 441 measured dace, the median measured length was 12.6 cm.

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

See dace records across England →

Most recent observation30 June 2026Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck · 1 fish
Largest measured dace
25.5 cm
Median length
12.6 cm
Fish measured
441
Survey locations
21

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
25.5 cm26 May 1998Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck109505
24.5 cm29 Aug 2001Swillington Bridge61560
24 cm16 Jul 2004Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)83567
23.7 cm28 Aug 2001Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)61543
23.4 cm26 May 1998Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck109505
23.2 cm24 Jun 2011Dark Arches129821
23.2 cm29 Aug 2001Swillington Bridge61560
23.1 cm24 Jun 2011Dark Arches129821
23.1 cm26 May 1998Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck109505
23 cm27 Jul 2008Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)114151

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
Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck26 May 199830 Jun 20265
Thwaite Mill fry Survey18 Aug 201422 Aug 20172
Chapel Haddelsey - Fry Survey21 Sept 200022 Aug 20173
Castleford Fry Survey14 Aug 201316 Aug 20163
Swillington Bridge19 Aug 19982 Jul 20147
Apperley Bridge1 Jul 20141 Jul 20141
Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)27 Aug 199830 Jun 201412
Dark Arches24 Jun 201124 Jun 20111
Thwaite Weir25 Aug 19985 Jul 20106
Castleford19 Aug 199825 Jun 20094
Crossflatts1 Jul 20081 Jul 20081
Rodley20 Jul 200620 Jul 20061
Carleton Bridge10 Jul 200610 Jul 20061
Cononley, below Snaygill STW29 Jul 200529 Jul 20051
Newlay lower weir19 Jul 200519 Jul 20051
Kirkstall (400 metre d/s) (Gill Net)20 Aug 200216 Jul 20042
Thwaite Weir (Gill Net)12 Jul 200412 Jul 20041
Knostrop - Fry Survey30 Sept 199830 Sept 19981
Silsden Bridge18 Aug 199818 Aug 19981
Keighley (River Worth Confluence) - Fry Survey21 Sept 198912 Sept 19942
Carleton Bridge - Fry Survey12 Sept 199412 Sept 19941

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

1989–2026

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 441 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.4 cm
Lower quarter
5.4 cm
Median
12.6 cm
Upper quarter
17.3 cm
Largest
25.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Aire

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

Minnow Stone loach Chub Gudgeon Bullhead Brown / sea trout

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 →