RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Thame

Largest measured barbel: 72.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Thame was 72.5 cm, recorded at Dorchester Road Bridge on 26 September 2008.

Across 126 measured barbel, the median measured length was 13.8 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 Thame.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation17 September 2025Dorchester Road Bridge · 4 fish
Largest measured barbel
72.5 cm
Median length
13.8 cm
Fish measured
126
Survey locations
8

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
72.5 cm26 Sept 2008Dorchester Road Bridge114980
67.4 cm4 Sept 2007Chiselhampton106635
66.7 cm26 Sept 2008Dorchester Road Bridge114980
64.8 cm26 Sept 2008Dorchester Road Bridge114980
58.9 cm8 Sept 2005Dorchester Road Bridge86032
58.3 cm26 Sept 2008Dorchester Road Bridge114980
57.8 cm3 Sept 2009Dorchester Road Bridge118948
57.8 cm11 Sept 2007Dorchester Road Bridge106633
57.7 cm8 Sept 2005Dorchester Road Bridge86032
57.6 cm26 Sept 2008Dorchester Road Bridge114980

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
Dorchester Road Bridge14 Oct 200317 Sept 202511
Cuddesdon19 Sept 200316 Sept 20256
Waterstock Mill20 Sept 200428 Aug 20195
Old Crendon Road Bridge29 Sept 200528 Sept 20105
Shabbington (West Arm)20 Aug 20022 Sept 20103
Chiselhampton10 Oct 200525 Sept 20084
Nether Winchendon - Lower Riffle5 Sept 20065 Sept 20061
Upstream of Notley Abbey23 Sept 200423 Sept 20041

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

2002–2025

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 126 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.5 cm
Lower quarter
9.8 cm
Median
13.8 cm
Upper quarter
28.9 cm
Largest
72.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Thame

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

Chub Roach Gudgeon Dace Perch 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 →