Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Ivel

Largest measured barbel: 82.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Ivel was 82.5 cm, recorded at DS Iron Bridge on 4 June 2013.

Across 134 measured barbel, the median measured length was 57.8 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 Ivel.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation30 April 2025Girtford Weir · 1 fish

Largest measured barbel: 82.5 cm
Median length: 57.8 cm
Fish measured: 134
Survey locations: 10

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured barbel

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

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
82.5 cm	4 Jun 2013	DS Iron Bridge	136221
78.5 cm	3 Apr 2006	US Iron Bridge	90598
76.5 cm	3 Apr 2006	DS Biggleswade Mill	90597
76.2 cm	4 Jun 2013	DS Iron Bridge	136221
76 cm	10 Jun 2016	Girtford Weir	148208
76 cm	3 Apr 2006	US Iron Bridge	90598
76 cm	6 May 2005	DS Iron Bridge	84536
75 cm	3 Apr 2006	US Iron Bridge	90598
75 cm	3 Apr 2006	US Iron Bridge	90598
75 cm	3 Apr 2006	US Iron Bridge	90598

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding barbel
Girtford Weir	3 Aug 1998	30 Apr 2025	8
DS Iron Bridge	23 Jul 1998	9 Apr 2025	13
DS Saw Mills Tempsford	23 Oct 2013	23 Oct 2013	1
Gt Ouse Confluence	1 Sept 2004	24 Jun 2013	5
Biggleswade Common	6 Jun 2007	6 Jun 2007	1
Iron Bridge	4 Apr 2006	4 Apr 2006	1
US Iron Bridge	3 Apr 2006	3 Apr 2006	1
DS Biggleswade Mill	3 Apr 2006	3 Apr 2006	1
Biggleswade Mill	3 Apr 2006	3 Apr 2006	1
Saw Mills Tempsford	22 Aug 2003	22 Aug 2003	1

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

1998–2025

Survey records by year

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

298

099

000

001

202

203

204

305

706

307

108

109

210

011

012

413

014

015

216

017

018

019

020

021

022

023

024

225

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 134 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 6.8 cm
Lower quarter: 48 cm
Median: 57.8 cm
Upper quarter: 65 cm
Largest: 82.5 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

800–899 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Ivel

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

Chub Pike Roach Gudgeon Dace Bullhead

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 →