Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Meden

Largest measured barbel: 72 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Meden was 72 cm, recorded at Bothamsall on 24 September 2025.

Across 114 measured barbel, the median measured length was 48.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 14 barbel. The median was 4 lb 4 oz (1.93 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 8 lb 0 oz (3.63 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 Meden.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation24 September 2025Bothamsall · 7 fish

Largest measured barbel: 72 cm
Median length: 48.5 cm
Fish measured: 114
Survey locations: 6

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
72 cm	24 Sept 2025	Bothamsall	179192
71 cm	24 Sept 2025	Bothamsall	179192
68.8 cm	12 May 2011	Bothamsall	126201
68.5 cm	26 Jun 2012	DS Bothamsall (DS Pre-barrage)	131630
68 cm	24 Sept 2025	Bothamsall	179192
67.9 cm	26 Jun 2012	DS Bothamsall (DS Pre-barrage)	131630
67.6 cm	22 Jun 2017	Bothamsall	150629
66.8 cm	17 May 2016	Bothamsall	148031
66.5 cm	12 Jun 2007	Bothamsall	106076
65.8 cm	17 May 2016	Bothamsall	148031

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
Bothamsall	3 Oct 1995	24 Sept 2025	12
Perlethorpe Gauging Weir	3 Jun 2010	23 May 2013	2
US Pre-barrage (DS Bothamsall)	26 Jun 2012	26 Jun 2012	1
DS Bothamsall (DS Pre-barrage)	26 Jun 2012	26 Jun 2012	1
Thoresby	1 Aug 2003	1 Aug 2003	1
Meden Vale	10 Oct 1995	23 Oct 1996	2

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

1995–2025

Survey records by year

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

295

196

097

098

099

000

001

002

203

104

105

106

107

008

009

210

111

212

113

014

015

116

117

018

019

020

021

022

123

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 114 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 9.5 cm
Lower quarter: 25.2 cm
Median: 48.5 cm
Upper quarter: 58.4 cm
Largest: 72 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

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 14 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 3 lb 0 oz (1.36 kg)
Lower quarter: 3 lb 10 oz (1.64 kg)
Median: 4 lb 4 oz (1.93 kg)
Upper quarter: 5 lb 12 oz (2.61 kg)
Heaviest: 8 lb 0 oz (3.63 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 Meden

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

Bullhead Chub Roach Brown / sea trout 3-spined stickleback European eel

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 →