RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Nene

Largest measured barbel: 66 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Nene was 66 cm, recorded at Wellingborough Back Channel on 29 September 2004.

Across 38 measured barbel, the median measured length was 15.9 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 Nene.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation30 October 2024Castor Mill Channel · 1 fish
Largest measured barbel
66 cm
Median length
15.9 cm
Fish measured
38
Survey locations
7

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
66 cm29 Sept 2004Wellingborough Back Channel82623
65 cm24 May 2005Wellingborough Back Channel86449
62 cm4 Aug 1986Cogenhoe Back Channel108994
58.5 cm29 Sept 2004Wellingborough Back Channel82623
55.5 cm22 Sept 2009Alwalton Backchannel119583
53 cm22 Sept 2009Alwalton Backchannel119583
52.8 cm22 Sept 2009Alwalton Backchannel119583
37.8 cm4 Jul 1989Stanwick Back Channel54028
31.4 cm18 Sept 2018Castor Mill Channel153783
31.1 cm18 Sept 2018Castor Mill Channel153783

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
Castor Mill Channel18 Sept 201830 Oct 20242
Alwalton Backchannel22 Sept 200919 Sept 20182
Yarwell Mill Back Channel6 Jun 201317 Sept 20182
Wellingborough Back Channel29 Sept 200424 May 20052
Hardwater Back Channel8 Sept 19958 Sept 19951
Stanwick Back Channel4 Jul 19894 Jul 19891
Cogenhoe Back Channel4 Aug 19864 Aug 19861

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

1986–2024

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 38 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
5.6 cm
Lower quarter
8 cm
Median
15.9 cm
Upper quarter
30.9 cm
Largest
66 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Nene

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

Roach Perch Pike Gudgeon Chub 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 →