RiverFish

Roach · Rutilus rutilus

Roach in the River Chelmer

Largest measured roach: 42.8 cm

The largest roach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 42.8 cm, recorded at Downstream Paper Mills on 28 June 2001.

Across 63,719 measured roach, the median measured length was 11.8 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 4 roach. The median was 1 lb 0.5 oz (0.469 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 6 oz (0.625 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 roach records across England →

Most recent observation1 October 2025Warners Farm · 1 fish
Largest measured roach
42.8 cm
Median length
11.8 cm
Fish measured
63,719
Survey locations
39

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
42.8 cm28 Jun 2001Downstream Paper Mills15607
35 cm26 Sept 1983Absol Bridge60401
34.6 cm17 Aug 1989Downstream Croxtons14326
34.5 cm29 Aug 1986Upstream Croxtons14287
33.9 cm16 Aug 1989Upstream Croxtons14327
33.7 cm11 Jul 2001Barnes Mill15613
33.6 cm9 Oct 1995Downstream Croxtons14406
33.1 cm16 Oct 1995Camsix Farm A14412
33.1 cm16 Aug 1989Upstream Croxtons14327
32.9 cm28 Sept 2004Langleys Dunmow84157

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
Warners Farm30 Sept 19831 Oct 202515
Chelmsford Viaduct14 Oct 198325 Sept 202515
Camsix Farm A28 Sept 198323 Sept 202514
Upstream Croxtons29 Aug 198620 Aug 202512
Langleys Dunmow21 Aug 199819 Aug 20258
A12 Bridge (C&B Canal)11 Jul 19869 Jul 202513
Barnes Mill10 Jul 19864 Jul 202520
Downstream Paper Mills26 Jun 198626 Jun 202520
Brookend9 Jul 198625 Jun 202520
Cuton Hall8 Jul 198616 Jun 202514
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)30 Jun 198613 Jun 202520
Hoe Mill Cut27 Jun 198612 Jun 202514
Sugar Mills20 Jun 19866 Jun 202520
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
Bowyers Bridge21 Mar 201421 Mar 20141
Upstream Beeleigh Lock15 Oct 19863 Nov 20109
Gasworks Reach11 Nov 198628 Oct 20109
Absol Bridge26 Sept 198321 Sept 201010
Springfield11 Oct 198325 Aug 201010
Langley Waltham3 Oct 198320 Aug 201010
Downstream Croxtons7 Oct 198311 Aug 201010
Sandford Cut14 Jul 198629 Jun 20109
Ulting Church19 Jun 198623 Jun 20109
Kings Mill3 Jul 198616 Jun 20109
Upstream Sandford Lock3 Nov 19861 Nov 20078
Sandford30 Oct 198630 Oct 20078
Downstream Stonhams Lock29 Oct 198626 Oct 20078
Upstream Paper Mills28 Oct 198625 Oct 20077
Cuton Lock10 Nov 198622 Oct 20078
Upstream Ricketts Lock17 Oct 198619 Oct 20077
Upstream Rushes Lock27 Oct 198618 Oct 20078
Hoe Mill20 Oct 198617 Oct 20078
Churchend FGS19 Sept 198322 Aug 20079
Hoffmans Mill12 Oct 19832 Aug 200710
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 roach that year.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 63,719 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.4 cm
Lower quarter
8.4 cm
Median
11.8 cm
Upper quarter
15.3 cm
Largest
42.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 4 roach. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
2.3 oz (0.065 kg)
Lower quarter
9.2 oz (0.2622 kg)
Median
1 lb 0.5 oz (0.469 kg)
Upper quarter
1 lb 5.7 oz (0.6138 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 6 oz (0.625 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 Pike Dace 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 →