RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Don

Largest measured barbel: 71.8 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Don was 71.8 cm, recorded at Kilnhurst Downstream on 1 July 2013.

Across 410 measured barbel, the median measured length was 32.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 45 barbel. The median was 5 lb 1.1 oz (2.3 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 9 lb 11.2 oz (4.4 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 Don.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation12 August 2025Kilnhurst - Fry Survey · 10 fish
Largest measured barbel
71.8 cm
Median length
32.5 cm
Fish measured
410
Survey locations
13

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
71.8 cm1 Jul 2013Kilnhurst Downstream140078
67.9 cm30 Jul 2012Doncaster (crimpsal) DON/CO/TEMP/003133218
67.4 cm28 Jul 2009Below Sprotborough Weir DON/CO/TEMP/002119128
66 cm1 Aug 2007Doncaster (crimpsal) DON/CO/TEMP/003108124
65.8 cm4 Jul 2005Below Sprotborough Weir DON/CO/TEMP/00287828
65.2 cm29 Jul 2012Effingham Street, sheffield133185
65.2 cm1 Aug 2007Doncaster (crimpsal) DON/CO/TEMP/003108124
64.7 cm24 Jul 2014Kilnhurst Bridge141920
64.5 cm4 Aug 2006Below Sprotborough Weir DON/CO/TEMP/002100546
64.5 cm23 Jul 2004Doncaster (crimpsal) DON/CO/TEMP/00383014

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
Kilnhurst - Fry Survey12 Aug 202512 Aug 20251
Doncaster (crimpsal) DON/CO/TEMP/0033 Oct 19974 Aug 202517
Kilnhurst Bridge30 Jun 200531 Jul 202512
Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/0017 Oct 199725 Jul 202416
Below Sprotborough Weir DON/CO/TEMP/00229 Sept 19973 Jul 201713
Blonk Street, sheffield28 Jul 201221 Aug 20132
Firth Rixon8 Jul 20138 Jul 20131
Kilnhurst Downstream1 Jul 20131 Jul 20131
Nursery Street, Sheffield2 Aug 20122 Aug 20121
Effingham Street, sheffield29 Jul 201229 Jul 20121
Tesco Weir - Masbrough, Rotherham23 Jun 200523 Jun 20051
Below Blackburn Meadows (new site)12 Jul 200212 Jul 20021
Meadowhall30 Sept 199730 Sept 19971

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

1997–2025

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 410 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.7 cm
Lower quarter
21.2 cm
Median
32.6 cm
Upper quarter
52.9 cm
Largest
71.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 45 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
7 oz (0.199 kg)
Lower quarter
2 lb 3.3 oz (1 kg)
Median
5 lb 1.1 oz (2.3 kg)
Upper quarter
6 lb 6 oz (2.89 kg)
Heaviest
9 lb 11.2 oz (4.4 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 Don

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

3-spined stickleback Brown / sea trout Gudgeon Roach Minnow 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 →