RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Kennet

Largest measured barbel: 79.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Kennet was 79.5 cm, recorded at Burghfield on 12 November 2024.

Across 842 measured barbel, the median measured length was 53.8 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 Kennet.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation25 September 2025Northcroft - Eel · 5 fish
Largest measured barbel
79.5 cm
Median length
53.8 cm
Fish measured
842
Survey locations
22

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
79.5 cm12 Nov 2024Burghfield168491
76.5 cm18 Oct 2015Fobney -Foudry Brook147200
76.2 cm25 Oct 2005Foudry Brook to County Weir87559
76.2 cm22 Oct 2005Fobney to County Weir88143
76 cm16 Oct 2015Lower Benyons147166
76 cm26 Oct 2004Woolhampton - Salmon Cut.82951
75.8 cm18 Oct 2015Foudry Brook to County Weir147199
75.5 cm31 Oct 2012Lower Benyons134720
74.8 cm3 Nov 2022Burghfield161893
74.8 cm19 Oct 2017Burghfield152108

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
Northcroft - Eel10 Oct 202325 Sept 20253
Burghfield25 Oct 200512 Nov 202412
Foudry Brook to County Weir16 Apr 200311 Nov 202412
Woolhampton - Salmon Cut.3 Apr 20035 Nov 202214
Hambridge11 Nov 200430 Oct 20199
Fobney -Foudry Brook10 Apr 200328 Oct 20187
Gaston Lock - Burghfield Mill9 Apr 200327 Oct 201810
Bulls lock- Widmead lock4 Nov 200824 Oct 20184
Lower Benyons27 Oct 200416 Oct 20159
Shenfield by-pass channel18 Sept 201518 Sept 20151
Downstream of Fraudes Marina6 Nov 20146 Nov 20141
Fobney Island16 Mar 201116 Mar 20111
Upstream Padworth Bridge26 Nov 201026 Nov 20101
Aldershot Stream14 Nov 200313 Nov 20094
Kings bridge - Brimpton3 Nov 200431 Oct 20063
Fobney to County Weir13 Apr 200330 Oct 20064
Speen Moor23 Oct 200623 Oct 20061
Upper Benyons10 Nov 200510 Nov 20051
Ufton to Tyle mill18 Oct 200518 Oct 20051
Waterside Farm2 Apr 200313 Oct 20052
Padworth Mill - Padworth Bridge26 Oct 200426 Oct 20041
Osier Bed Stream29 Apr 200328 Sept 20042

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

2003–2025

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 842 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.8 cm
Lower quarter
38.3 cm
Median
53.8 cm
Upper quarter
61.4 cm
Largest
79.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Kennet

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

Pike Brown / sea trout Chub Dace Perch Roach

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 →