RiverFish

Spined loach · Cobitis taenia

Spined loach in the River Middle Ouse

Largest measured spined loach: 8 cm

The largest spined loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Middle Ouse was 8 cm, recorded at Hemingford Meadow on 21 October 2025.

Across 16 measured spined loach, the median measured length was 6.3 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 Middle Ouse.

See spined loach records across England →

Most recent observation21 October 2025Hemingford Meadow · 1 fish
Largest measured spined loach
8 cm
Median length
6.3 cm
Fish measured
16
Survey locations
6

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured spined loach

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
8 cm21 Oct 2025Hemingford Meadow179471
7.8 cm8 Jul 1999Portholme Meadow29186
7.5 cm26 Jul 2006Portholme Meadow100286
7.5 cm12 Jul 2005Portholme Meadow85016
7.3 cm3 Sept 1998St Neots Common29155
7 cm26 Jul 2006Portholme Meadow100286
6.5 cm12 Jul 2005Portholme Meadow85016
6.4 cm28 Sept 2016US Dolphin Meadow149560
6.3 cm8 Nov 1989Pike & Eel29201
6.3 cm8 Nov 1989Pike & Eel29201

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where spined loach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one spined loach 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 spined loach
Hemingford Meadow21 Oct 202521 Oct 20251
US Dolphin Meadow1 Aug 200628 Sept 20162
Holywell9 Sept 20109 Sept 20101
Portholme Meadow8 Jul 199919 Aug 20105
Pike & Eel8 Nov 19895 Nov 20092
St Neots Common3 Sept 19983 Sept 19981

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

1989–2025

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded spined loach that year.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 16 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
4.3 cm
Lower quarter
5.7 cm
Median
6.4 cm
Upper quarter
7.4 cm
Largest
8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Middle Ouse

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

Perch Roach Pike Bleak Gudgeon Common bream

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 →