RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Swale

Largest measured barbel: 69.7 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Swale was 69.7 cm, recorded at Myton Grange on 6 July 2022.

Across 871 measured barbel, the median measured length was 7.1 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 20 barbel. The median was 3 lb 6.5 oz (1.55 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 6 lb 9.1 oz (2.98 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 Swale.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation13 August 2025Maunby - Fry Survey · 2 fish
Largest measured barbel
69.7 cm
Median length
7.1 cm
Fish measured
871
Survey locations
19

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
69.7 cm6 Jul 2022Myton Grange161093
69 cm3 Aug 1995Brompton-on-Swale, Thornborough Farm110460
68.7 cm17 Jul 2019Maunby Demesne Upper Site154834
68.3 cm14 Aug 2006Langton Bridge101080
67.9 cm8 Aug 2005Ellerton86914
67.7 cm10 Aug 2006Brompton-on-Swale, Thornborough Farm101082
66.1 cm8 Aug 2005Ellerton86914
65.7 cm4 Aug 2005Kiplin85872
65.6 cm17 Jul 2019Maunby Demesne Upper Site154834
65.6 cm28 Jul 2005Topcliffe Caravan Park85850

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
Maunby - Fry Survey19 Sept 199613 Aug 202515
Skipton-on-Swale10 Aug 19957 Aug 202512
Maunby Demesne Upper Site16 Aug 200030 Jul 202516
Brafferton10 Aug 199530 Jul 202517
Myton Grange8 Sept 200424 Jul 20255
Leckby24 Jul 20022 Jul 20105
Morton-on-Swale15 Aug 200031 Jul 20075
Langton Bridge10 Aug 200031 Jul 20075
Brompton-on-Swale, Thornborough Farm3 Aug 199510 Aug 20065
Ellerton8 Aug 20058 Aug 20051
Swalefields4 Aug 20054 Aug 20051
Kiplin26 Jul 20024 Aug 20052
Holme25 Jun 19961 Aug 20053
Topcliffe Caravan Park23 Jul 200228 Jul 20052
Maunby Railway Bridge28 Jul 200528 Jul 20051
Fawdington21 Jul 200521 Jul 20051
Thornton Bridge - Fry Survey20 Sept 198423 Sept 20036
Skipton - Fry Survey19 Sept 199619 Sept 19961
Maunby Demesne9 Aug 19959 Aug 19951

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

1984–2025

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 871 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
0.4 cm
Lower quarter
2.9 cm
Median
7.1 cm
Upper quarter
42.3 cm
Largest
69.7 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 20 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
15 oz (0.425 kg)
Lower quarter
2 lb 2.7 oz (0.9825 kg)
Median
3 lb 6.5 oz (1.55 kg)
Upper quarter
4 lb 4.3 oz (1.94 kg)
Heaviest
6 lb 9.1 oz (2.98 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 Swale

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

Minnow Chub Bullhead Stone loach Dace Grayling

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 →