Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Ouse

Largest measured barbel: 66 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Ouse was 66 cm, recorded at Beningbrough Village (single anode) on 25 June 2019.

Across 69 measured barbel, the median measured length was 19.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 2 barbel. The median was 3 lb 2.5 oz (1.43 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 3 lb 9 oz (1.62 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 Ouse.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation6 August 2025Naburn Weir (single anode) · 3 fish

Largest measured barbel: 66 cm
Median length: 19.5 cm
Fish measured: 69
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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
66 cm	25 Jun 2019	Beningbrough Village (single anode)	154648
64.5 cm	25 Jun 2010	Linton-on-Ouse, below weir (single anode)	122806
61.5 cm	25 Jun 2010	Linton-on-Ouse, below weir (single anode)	122806
60.1 cm	25 Jun 2010	Linton-on-Ouse, below weir (single anode)	122806
57.9 cm	21 Jun 2013	Linton-on-Ouse, below weir (single anode)	136528
56.5 cm	17 Jul 2014	Linton-on-Ouse, below weir (single anode)	141919
50.5 cm	10 Jul 2015	Naburn Weir (single anode)	145488
49.7 cm	28 Jun 2013	Naburn Weir (single anode)	136784
49.6 cm	27 Jul 2011	Linton-on-Ouse, below weir (single anode)	128935
48.8 cm	28 Jun 2013	Naburn Weir (single anode)	136784

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
Naburn Weir (single anode)	8 Aug 1997	6 Aug 2025	13
Linton-on-Ouse, below weir (single anode)	16 Jul 2001	25 Jun 2019	7
Beningbrough Village (single anode)	25 Jun 2019	25 Jun 2019	1
Acaster - Fry Survey	23 Sept 1987	10 Aug 2018	6
Linton weir - u/s - Fry Survey	29 Sept 1998	30 Aug 2012	2
Beningborough - Fry Survey	25 Sept 1985	1 Sept 2009	9
Naburn Weir (boom boat site)	23 Jul 1999	23 Jul 1999	1

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

1985–2025

Survey records by year

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

185

186

187

288

189

090

091

092

093

194

195

196

397

198

299

000

301

002

003

104

105

106

007

008

109

210

111

112

213

214

315

116

017

118

319

020

021

022

023

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 69 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 1.6 cm
Lower quarter: 4.3 cm
Median: 19.5 cm
Upper quarter: 46 cm
Largest: 66 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 2 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 2 lb 12 oz (1.25 kg)
Lower quarter: 2 lb 15.3 oz (1.34 kg)
Median: 3 lb 2.5 oz (1.43 kg)
Upper quarter: 3 lb 5.7 oz (1.52 kg)
Heaviest: 3 lb 9 oz (1.62 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 Ouse

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

Roach Perch Gudgeon Ruffe Bleak Pike

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 →