RiverFish

Dace · Leuciscus leuciscus

Dace in the River Chelmer

Largest measured dace: 34.7 cm

The largest dace measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 34.7 cm, recorded at Littley Park on 30 August 1989.

Across 8,749 measured dace, the median measured length was 11.9 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 10 dace. The median was 4.1 oz (0.116 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 0.9 oz (0.48 kg).

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

See dace records across England →

Most recent observation1 October 2025Warners Farm · 1 fish
Largest measured dace
34.7 cm
Median length
11.9 cm
Fish measured
8,749
Survey locations
39

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
34.7 cm30 Aug 1989Littley Park14331
30.5 cm23 Sept 1983Felstead A60703
29.5 cm26 Sept 1983Absol Bridge60401
28.2 cm26 Sept 1983Absol Bridge60401
28.1 cm28 Sept 1983Camsix Farm A60700
28 cm8 Sept 1986Absol Bridge14293
28 cm4 Sept 1986Littley Park14291
28 cm3 Sept 1986Camsix Farm A14292
27.8 cm26 Sept 1983Absol Bridge60401
27.6 cm2 Sept 1986Warners Farm14290

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
Warners Farm30 Sept 19831 Oct 202514
Chelmsford Viaduct14 Oct 198325 Sept 202512
Camsix Farm A28 Sept 198323 Sept 202514
Upstream Croxtons10 Oct 198320 Aug 202513
Langleys Dunmow16 Aug 200119 Aug 20258
Barnes Mill10 Jul 19864 Jul 202518
Downstream Paper Mills26 Jun 198626 Jun 202520
Brookend9 Jul 198625 Jun 202517
Cuton Hall8 Jul 198616 Jun 202512
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)30 Jun 198613 Jun 202520
Hoe Mill Cut27 Jun 198612 Jun 202514
Sugar Mills30 Jun 19896 Jun 202516
Downstream Ricketts Lock23 Jun 19865 Jun 202514
Ricketts Cut25 Jun 198626 Jun 201912
Felstead A23 Sept 19836 Oct 201611
Littley Park4 Sept 19865 Oct 201611
Little Waltham4 Oct 198321 Sept 201612
A12 Bridge (C&B Canal)13 Jul 198913 Jul 20169
Bowyers Bridge18 Jan 200521 Mar 20142
Upstream Beeleigh Lock15 Oct 19863 Nov 20107
Gasworks Reach11 Nov 198628 Oct 20106
Absol Bridge26 Sept 198321 Sept 201010
Springfield11 Oct 198325 Aug 201010
Langley Waltham3 Oct 198320 Aug 20109
Downstream Croxtons7 Oct 198311 Aug 20109
Sandford Cut14 Jul 198629 Jun 20107
Ulting Church28 Jun 198923 Jun 20108
Kings Mill3 Jul 198616 Jun 20108
Upstream Sandford Lock3 Nov 19861 Nov 20076
Upstream Paper Mills28 Oct 198625 Oct 20077
Upstream Rushes Lock27 Oct 198618 Oct 20078
Hoe Mill10 Oct 198917 Oct 20074
Churchend FGS19 Sept 198322 Aug 20078
Hoffmans Mill12 Oct 198316 Oct 20066
Downstream Stonhams Lock29 Oct 198620 Oct 20045
Sandford30 Oct 19866 Nov 20013
Upstream Ricketts Lock17 Oct 198630 Oct 20013
Cuton Lock10 Nov 198616 Oct 19985
Camsix Farm B28 Sept 198328 Sept 19831

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

1983–2025

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 8,749 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.1 cm
Lower quarter
8.9 cm
Median
11.9 cm
Upper quarter
15.2 cm
Largest
34.7 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 10 dace. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.4 oz (0.012 kg)
Lower quarter
0.8 oz (0.0222 kg)
Median
4.1 oz (0.116 kg)
Upper quarter
8.3 oz (0.236 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 0.9 oz (0.48 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Chelmer

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

Chub Roach Pike Gudgeon European eel Perch

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 →