RiverFish

Ruffe · Gymnocephalus cernuus

Ruffe in the River Chelmer

Largest measured ruffe: 14.3 cm

The largest ruffe measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 14.3 cm, recorded at Downstream Paper Mills on 8 July 2019.

Across 297 measured ruffe, the median measured length was 7.7 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 Chelmer.

See ruffe records across England →

Most recent observation26 June 2025Downstream Paper Mills · 2 fish
Largest measured ruffe
14.3 cm
Median length
7.7 cm
Fish measured
297
Survey locations
13

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured ruffe

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
14.3 cm8 Jul 2019Downstream Paper Mills156046
14 cm25 Oct 2007Upstream Paper Mills107872
14 cm12 Jun 2007Ulting Church105542
13.9 cm1 Jul 2010Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)122807
13.9 cm16 Jun 2010Kings Mill122367
13.9 cm31 Oct 2001Upstream Rushes Lock21524
13.8 cm19 Jun 2007Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)105578
13.8 cm5 Jun 2003Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)79236
13.7 cm1 Jul 2010Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)122807
13.5 cm13 Oct 1998Upstream Rushes Lock14428

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

Explore the river

Where ruffe were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one ruffe 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 ruffe
Downstream Paper Mills26 Jun 198626 Jun 202512
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)30 Jun 198613 Jun 202514
Downstream Ricketts Lock23 Jun 19865 Jun 20259
Hoe Mill Cut27 Jun 198913 Jun 202210
Sugar Mills30 Jun 19891 Jun 20225
Ricketts Cut25 Jun 198612 Jun 20135
Ulting Church19 Jun 198623 Jun 20107
Kings Mill15 Jul 199216 Jun 20102
Upstream Paper Mills28 Oct 200425 Oct 20072
Upstream Rushes Lock11 Oct 198918 Oct 20075
Upstream Beeleigh Lock15 Oct 198612 Oct 20073
Hoe Mill20 Oct 198614 Oct 20043
Downstream Stonhams Lock12 Oct 19892 Nov 20012

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

1986–2025

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 297 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
4.5 cm
Lower quarter
6 cm
Median
7.7 cm
Upper quarter
10.3 cm
Largest
14.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

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 Dace Gudgeon European eel

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 →