RiverFish

Roach · Rutilus rutilus

Roach in the River Sow

Largest measured roach: 32 cm

The largest roach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Sow was 32 cm, recorded at Sainsbury's, Stafford on 8 November 1994.

Across 1,761 measured roach, the median measured length was 13.3 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 Sow.

See roach records across England →

Most recent observation2 April 2026Doxey Marshes · 16 fish
Largest measured roach
32 cm
Median length
13.3 cm
Fish measured
1,761
Survey locations
12

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured roach

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
32 cm8 Nov 1994Sainsbury's, Stafford5041
31.4 cm15 Apr 2004Sainsbury's, Stafford80162
30.6 cm8 Nov 1994Sainsbury's, Stafford5041
30.4 cm8 Aug 2002Chebsey79649
30.4 cm3 Jul 1991Great Bridgeford4291
30.2 cm5 May 2005Chebsey84513
30 cm15 Apr 2004Sainsbury's, Stafford80162
30 cm8 Nov 1994Sainsbury's, Stafford5041
29.7 cm19 Apr 2006Sainsbury's, Stafford90727
29.7 cm14 Apr 2004Chebsey79650

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

Explore the river

Where roach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one roach 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 roach
Doxey Marshes6 Nov 19912 Apr 20262
Great Bridgeford3 Jul 199119 Jun 20258
Upstream St Thomas Mill24 Nov 199123 Jul 20247
Sainsbury's, Stafford8 Nov 199410 Jul 20188
Shugborough13 May 20042 Jul 20152
Byanna Farm, Eccleshall25 Jan 20004 Jun 20155
Sea Cadets, Riverway, Stafford15 Oct 199117 May 20064
Hillcote Hall18 Apr 200618 Apr 20061
Chebsey6 Jun 200018 Apr 20065
Creswell Farm3 Jul 199028 Feb 20065
M6 Bridge8 Nov 199421 Jun 20002
Broadeye Stafford16 Oct 199116 Oct 19911

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

1990–2026

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 1,761 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.6 cm
Lower quarter
11.1 cm
Median
13.3 cm
Upper quarter
16.8 cm
Largest
32 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Sow

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

Perch Chub Pike Gudgeon Bullhead Stone loach

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 →