RiverFish

Tench · Tinca tinca

Tench in the River Chelmer

Largest measured tench: 52.2 cm

The largest tench measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 52.2 cm, recorded at Sugar Mills on 23 July 2002.

Across 844 measured tench, the median measured length was 36 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 4 tench. The median was 1 lb 6.2 oz (0.629 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2 lb 6.4 oz (1.09 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 tench records across England →

Most recent observation4 July 2025Barnes Mill · 4 fish
Largest measured tench
52.2 cm
Median length
36 cm
Fish measured
844
Survey locations
29

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured tench

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
52.2 cm23 Jul 2002Sugar Mills72172
50.6 cm14 Jun 2019Sugar Mills156029
50.5 cm6 Jun 2025Sugar Mills177783
49.4 cm1 Jun 2007Sugar Mills105474
49.3 cm20 Jun 2008Sugar Mills111879
48.9 cm23 Jul 2002Sugar Mills72172
48.8 cm11 Jun 2010Sugar Mills122368
48.3 cm5 Jun 2025Downstream Ricketts Lock177786
48.2 cm5 Jun 2025Downstream Ricketts Lock177786
48.2 cm1 Jun 2022Sugar Mills162175

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

Explore the river

Where tench were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one tench 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 tench
Barnes Mill10 Jul 19864 Jul 202518
Downstream Paper Mills26 Jun 198626 Jun 202520
Brookend9 Jul 198625 Jun 202517
Cuton Hall8 Jul 198616 Jun 20259
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)4 Jul 198913 Jun 202519
Sugar Mills3 Jul 19956 Jun 202515
Downstream Ricketts Lock22 Jun 19895 Jun 202510
A12 Bridge (C&B Canal)11 Jul 198619 Jun 20139
Hoe Mill Cut6 Jul 199218 Jun 20132
Upstream Beeleigh Lock15 Oct 19863 Nov 20108
Gasworks Reach11 Nov 198628 Oct 20108
Sandford Cut14 Jul 198629 Jun 20108
Upstream Sandford Lock9 Nov 19921 Nov 20076
Sandford2 Nov 199230 Oct 20075
Upstream Paper Mills17 Oct 198925 Oct 20077
Cuton Lock19 Oct 199222 Oct 20074
Upstream Rushes Lock27 Oct 198618 Oct 20077
Hoe Mill20 Oct 198617 Oct 20076
Chelmsford Viaduct14 Oct 19833 Aug 20078
Kings Mill3 Jul 198620 Jun 20076
Ulting Church19 Jun 198612 Jun 20074
Upstream Ricketts Lock17 Oct 198613 Oct 20047
Downstream Stonhams Lock14 Oct 199215 Oct 19983
Absol Bridge8 Sept 198617 Aug 19983
Hoffmans Mill12 Oct 19834 Oct 19953
Upstream Croxtons27 Aug 199227 Aug 19921
Ricketts Cut23 Jun 19891 Jul 19922
Langley Waltham11 Sept 198911 Sept 19891
Churchend FGS19 Sept 198319 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 tench that year.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 844 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
4.3 cm
Lower quarter
22.3 cm
Median
36 cm
Upper quarter
41 cm
Largest
52.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

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

Lightest
15.6 oz (0.443 kg)
Lower quarter
1 lb 3.4 oz (0.551 kg)
Median
1 lb 6.2 oz (0.629 kg)
Upper quarter
1 lb 11.3 oz (0.7752 kg)
Heaviest
2 lb 6.4 oz (1.09 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 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 →