Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Medway

Largest measured barbel: 75.8 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Medway was 75.8 cm, recorded at D/s Ashurst Road Bridge on 27 July 2023.

Across 560 measured barbel, the median measured length was 12.4 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 13 barbel. The median was 13.5 oz (0.384 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 15 lb 6.9 oz (7 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 Medway.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation16 October 2025Penshurst · 24 fish

Largest measured barbel: 75.8 cm
Median length: 12.4 cm
Fish measured: 560
Survey locations: 4

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
75.8 cm	27 Jul 2023	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	163084
74.1 cm	27 Jul 2023	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	163084
74.1 cm	27 Jul 2023	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	163084
73.9 cm	27 Jul 2023	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	163084
71.1 cm	8 Aug 2019	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	155187
69.6 cm	27 Jul 2023	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	163084
69.3 cm	12 Sept 2017	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	151708
68.9 cm	27 Jul 2023	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	163084
67.6 cm	8 Aug 2019	D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	155187
67 cm	16 Oct 2025	Penshurst	180383

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
Penshurst	29 Jul 2004	16 Oct 2025	20
Fordcombe	22 Jul 2002	15 Oct 2025	18
D/s Ashurst Road Bridge	15 Jul 2005	18 Sept 2025	12
Bewleys Weir	2 Sept 2003	3 Sept 2009	5

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

2002–2025

Survey records by year

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

102

203

204

305

406

307

308

309

310

211

212

213

214

215

216

317

218

319

020

021

222

323

324

325

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 560 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.7 cm
Lower quarter: 7.9 cm
Median: 12.4 cm
Upper quarter: 19.6 cm
Largest: 75.8 cm

0–99 mm

213

100–199 mm

211

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 13 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 1.2 oz (0.035 kg)
Lower quarter: 5.2 oz (0.148 kg)
Median: 13.5 oz (0.384 kg)
Upper quarter: 4 lb 7.4 oz (2.02 kg)
Heaviest: 15 lb 6.9 oz (7 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 Medway

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

Chub Gudgeon Roach Perch Bleak Dace

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 →