RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Lee

Largest measured barbel: 74.4 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Lee was 74.4 cm, recorded at Fishers Green on 14 November 2003.

Across 2,164 measured barbel, the median measured length was 24 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 69 barbel. The median was 5.4 oz (0.154 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 9 lb 2 oz (4.14 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 Lee.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation23 July 2026Amwell Loop · 2 fish
Largest measured barbel
74.4 cm
Median length
24 cm
Fish measured
2,164
Survey locations
20

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
74.4 cm14 Nov 2003Fishers Green78546
73 cm14 Nov 2003Fishers Green78546
71.3 cm5 Jul 2011Fishers Green126835
70.9 cm2 Nov 2005Fishers Green87540
70 cm18 Sept 2006Fishers Green101523
69.5 cm12 Jul 2010Hyde Mill122750
69.5 cm24 Oct 2002Hartham Common72639
69.5 cm11 Jun 1992Kings Weir115765
69.3 cm24 Jun 2019Hartham Leisure centre154684
69.2 cm21 Sept 2004Hartham Common82447

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
Amwell Loop23 Jul 202623 Jul 20261
Fishers Green6 Sept 19787 Jul 202617
Wheathampstead18 Oct 20029 Jun 202621
Hackney Marshes11 Sept 202511 Sept 20251
Waterdale22 Oct 200231 Jul 202514
Red Spinners Bayford4 Aug 201717 Jul 20254
Stanborough Park10 Sept 200324 Jun 202513
Hyde Mill9 Oct 200217 Jun 202514
Woolmers Park1 Nov 20023 Aug 202311
Hartham Leisure centre24 Jun 201924 Jun 20191
Hartham Common24 Oct 200221 Jun 201812
Fishers Green barbel investigation3 Nov 20173 Nov 20171
Batford16 Apr 200819 Jun 20142
Kings Weir Back Loop29 May 201429 May 20141
Essendon11 Sept 200326 Jun 20138
County Hall22 Mar 201222 Mar 20121
Waterend17 Apr 200817 Apr 20081
Bush hall27 Nov 200727 Nov 20071
Bayford15 Sept 20046 Sept 20052
Kings Weir11 Jun 199211 Jun 19921

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

1978–2026

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 2,164 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.8 cm
Lower quarter
13.2 cm
Median
24 cm
Upper quarter
41.6 cm
Largest
74.4 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 69 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
1.3 oz (0.036 kg)
Median
5.4 oz (0.154 kg)
Upper quarter
2 lb 3 oz (0.993 kg)
Heaviest
9 lb 2 oz (4.14 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 Lee

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

Roach Perch Gudgeon Minnow Chub Pike

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 →