RiverFish

Roach · Rutilus rutilus

Roach in the River Aire

Largest measured roach: 125.2 cm

The largest roach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Aire was 125.2 cm, recorded at Kirkstall (400m d/s weir) on 29 August 2001.

Across 3,345 measured roach, the median measured length was 5 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 roach records across England →

Most recent observation14 August 2025Chapel Haddelsey - Fry Survey · 30 fish
Largest measured roach
125.2 cm
Median length
5 cm
Fish measured
3,345
Survey locations
28

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured roach

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
125.2 cm29 Aug 2001Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)61541
25.5 cm25 Aug 1998Thwaite Weir109499
25.3 cm21 Aug 2002Thwaite Weir (Gill Net)67501
23.9 cm17 Jul 2006Thwaite Weir101563
23.9 cm14 Sept 2004Chappel Haddlesey - u/s A1983576
23.8 cm21 Aug 2002Thwaite Weir (Gill Net)67501
23.4 cm1 Jul 2010Castleford122800
22.9 cm26 Aug 1998Esholt STW109509
22.5 cm9 Jul 2003Thwaite Weir78592
22.4 cm29 Aug 2001Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)61541

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

Explore the river

Where roach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one roach 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 roach
Chapel Haddelsey - Fry Survey21 Sept 200014 Aug 202512
Thwaite Mill fry Survey14 Aug 20138 Aug 20197
Castleford Fry Survey14 Aug 201316 Aug 20163
Swillington Bridge19 Aug 19982 Jul 20145
Skelton Grange30 Sept 201330 Sept 20131
Dark Arches24 Jun 201124 Jun 20111
Thwaite Weir25 Aug 19985 Jul 201010
Castleford19 Aug 19981 Jul 201010
Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)27 Aug 199822 Jun 201011
Chappel Haddlesey - u/s A191 Sept 199821 Jun 201010
Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck26 May 199822 Jun 20099
Fairburn25 Sept 200725 Sept 20071
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 20043
Thwaite Weir (Gill Net)21 Aug 200212 Jul 20043
Chapel Haddlesey - u/s A19 (Gill Net)18 Jul 200318 Jul 20031
Castleford (Gill Net)22 Aug 200218 Jul 20032
Carleton Bridge - Fry Survey17 Sept 199726 Sept 20024
Kildwick Bridge (Gill Net)25 Jul 200225 Jul 20021
Kildwick Bridge25 Jul 200225 Jul 20021
Keighley (River Worth Confluence) - Fry Survey21 Sept 198418 Sept 200114
Knostrop - Fry Survey21 Sept 198422 Sept 199910
Beal1 Sept 19981 Sept 19981
Esholt STW26 Aug 199826 Aug 19981
Crossflatts18 Aug 199818 Aug 19981
Kildwick - Fry Survey24 Sept 199224 Sept 19921
Cononley - Fry Survey24 Sept 199224 Sept 19921

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

1984–2025

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 3,345 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.8 cm
Lower quarter
3.3 cm
Median
5 cm
Upper quarter
8.5 cm
Largest
125.2 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 →