Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Main Somerset Frome

Largest measured barbel: 45.8 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Somerset Frome was 45.8 cm, recorded at Tellisford (Te06) on 16 May 2006.

Across 51 measured barbel, the median measured length was 17.8 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 11 barbel. The median was 3.6 oz (0.103 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 3 lb 1.2 oz (1.4 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 Main Somerset Frome.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation22 September 2025Tellisford, Depleted Reach · 5 fish

Largest measured barbel: 45.8 cm
Median length: 17.8 cm
Fish measured: 51
Survey locations: 3

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
45.8 cm	16 May 2006	Tellisford (Te06)	90810
37.2 cm	16 May 2006	Tellisford (Te06)	90810
35.4 cm	25 Sept 2007	Tellisford (Te06)	106871
35 cm	25 Sept 2007	Tellisford (Te06)	106871
30.8 cm	22 Sept 2025	Tellisford (Te06)	178912
30.8 cm	25 Sept 2007	Tellisford (Te06)	106871
30.2 cm	25 Sept 2007	Tellisford (Te06)	106871
28.3 cm	22 Sept 2025	Tellisford (Te06)	178912
26.1 cm	22 Sept 2025	Tellisford (Te06)	178912
25.7 cm	24 Aug 2023	Tellisford (Te06)	163045

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
Tellisford, Depleted Reach	24 Aug 2007	22 Sept 2025	2
Tellisford (Te06)	3 Oct 2001	22 Sept 2025	6
Snarlton Farm (Te)	21 Aug 2003	23 Jul 2019	7

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

2001–2025

Survey records by year

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

101

002

103

104

105

106

307

008

009

110

011

012

113

014

015

116

017

018

119

020

021

022

123

024

225

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 51 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 3.5 cm
Lower quarter: 11.1 cm
Median: 17.8 cm
Upper quarter: 23.2 cm
Largest: 45.8 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 11 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 oz (0.0275 kg)
Median: 3.6 oz (0.103 kg)
Upper quarter: 5.8 oz (0.1645 kg)
Heaviest: 3 lb 1.2 oz (1.4 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 Main Somerset Frome

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

Minnow Stone loach Roach Bullhead 3-spined stickleback Chub

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 →