RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Tees

Largest measured barbel: 63.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Tees was 63.5 cm, recorded at Temporal Coarse, Swine Lairs u/s ford on 5 October 2005.

Across 709 measured barbel, the median measured length was 10.2 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 3 barbel. The median was 4 lb 6.5 oz (2 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 8 lb 13.1 oz (4 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 Tees.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation11 September 2025Temporal Coarse, Low Coniscliffe · 2 fish
Largest measured barbel
63.5 cm
Median length
10.2 cm
Fish measured
709
Survey locations
17

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
63.5 cm5 Oct 2005Temporal Coarse, Swine Lairs u/s ford86803
61.1 cm10 Oct 2006Temporal Coarse, Swine Lairs u/s ford101758
61.1 cm17 Aug 2006Temporal Coarse, Low Haile Bridge101628
59.5 cm14 Aug 2007Temporal Coarse, Low Moor108694
58.8 cm17 Sept 2018Temporal Coarse, Low Moor153457
54.6 cm7 Oct 2002Temporal Coarse, Blackwell Bridge72437
53.9 cm14 Aug 2007Temporal Coarse, Low Moor108694
53.3 cm28 Sept 2004Temporal Coarse, Low Haile Bridge82840
52.6 cm7 Oct 2002Temporal Coarse, Blackwell Bridge72437
52.5 cm14 Aug 2007Temporal Coarse, Low Moor108694

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
Temporal Coarse, Low Coniscliffe28 Sept 200411 Sept 20253
Temporal Coarse, Neasham23 Aug 200211 Aug 202513
Temporal Coarse, Croft15 Aug 200111 Aug 202510
Temporal Coarse, Low Moor18 Sept 20024 Aug 202518
Temporal Coarse, Low Haile Bridge19 Sept 200218 Sept 201810
SAP/BT Annual, Broken Scar13 Oct 199910 Aug 20166
Temporal Coarse, Blackwell Bridge7 Oct 200210 Sept 201510
Temporal Coarse, Aislaby15 Sept 201015 Sept 20101
Temporal Coarse, Broken Scar22 Aug 20054 Sept 20073
Temporal Coarse, Swine Lairs u/s ford5 Oct 200510 Oct 20062
Temporal Coarse, Middleton One Row22 Aug 200326 Sept 20062
Spatial Coarse, Sockburn25 Sept 200625 Sept 20061
Low Moor - Fry Survey2 Sept 19935 Sept 20067
Croft - Fry Survey26 Sept 199417 Sept 20047
Temporal Coarse, Bassleton Beck - U/s pipe bridge22 Sept 200322 Sept 20031
Spatial Coarse, Blackwell Pumping Station29 Aug 200117 Sept 20033
Blackwell - Fry Survey25 Sept 199625 Sept 19961

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

1993–2025

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 709 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.7 cm
Lower quarter
5.7 cm
Median
10.2 cm
Upper quarter
15.5 cm
Largest
63.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 3 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
3 lb 12 oz (1.7 kg)
Lower quarter
4 lb 1.3 oz (1.85 kg)
Median
4 lb 6.5 oz (2 kg)
Upper quarter
6 lb 9.8 oz (3 kg)
Heaviest
8 lb 13.1 oz (4 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 Tees

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Minnow Stone loach European eel Atlantic salmon

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 →