RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Colne

Largest measured barbel: 76.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Colne was 76.5 cm, recorded at Springwell Lane on 28 May 2015.

Across 390 measured barbel, the median measured length was 39.1 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 20 barbel. The median was 1 lb 11.5 oz (0.781 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 7 lb 9.7 oz (3.45 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 Colne.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation21 July 2026Uxbridge · 5 fish
Largest measured barbel
76.5 cm
Median length
39.1 cm
Fish measured
390
Survey locations
12

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured barbel

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
76.5 cm28 May 2015Springwell Lane144797
76 cm1 Aug 2009Denham118306
76 cm1 Aug 2009Denham118306
75.3 cm9 May 2013Springwell Lane135967
72.2 cm28 May 2015Springwell Lane144797
72 cm31 Oct 2019Heathrow EP: Little Britain155857
70.5 cm26 Jun 2007Springwell Lane105704
70.3 cm23 May 2013Stanwell Moor136075
69 cm31 Oct 2019Heathrow EP: Little Britain155857
68.2 cm22 Jun 2023Springwell Lane163149

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

Explore the river

Where barbel were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one barbel 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 barbel
Uxbridge29 Mar 199921 Jul 202610
Springwell Lane18 Oct 200115 Jun 202624
Stanwell Moor6 Mar 198628 May 202616
Wall Hall19 May 201125 May 20233
Heathrow EP: Little Britain31 Oct 201931 Oct 20191
Heathrow EP: Poyle Channel28 Oct 201928 Oct 20191
Watford M1 link road12 Jul 201822 Jul 20192
Denham 2.019 Jul 201819 Jul 20181
Longbridge Way, Uxbridge29 May 201229 May 20121
Denham5 Oct 20061 Aug 20094
Stanwell Road8 May 19868 May 19861
Maple Cross12 Feb 198612 Feb 19861

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

1986–2026

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 390 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
5.6 cm
Lower quarter
21.1 cm
Median
39.1 cm
Upper quarter
51.8 cm
Largest
76.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 20 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.4 oz (0.01 kg)
Lower quarter
4.6 oz (0.131 kg)
Median
1 lb 11.5 oz (0.781 kg)
Upper quarter
2 lb 13.5 oz (1.29 kg)
Heaviest
7 lb 9.7 oz (3.45 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 Colne

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

Chub Perch Roach Pike Dace Gudgeon

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 →