RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Upper Ouse

Largest measured barbel: 80.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Upper Ouse was 80.5 cm, recorded at Mill Farm Gayhurst on 31 May 2002.

Across 405 measured barbel, the median measured length was 42.9 cm.

Surveyors recorded one individual weight: 11 lb 12.4 oz (5.34 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 Upper Ouse.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation17 June 2025Manor Farm Cosgrove · 1 fish
Largest measured barbel
80.5 cm
Median length
42.9 cm
Fish measured
405
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
80.5 cm31 May 2002Mill Farm Gayhurst52044
78.3 cm11 Jun 1997Mill Farm Gayhurst28877
76.4 cm31 Oct 2016Manor Farm Cosgrove149980
76.3 cm5 Sept 2001Mill Farm Gayhurst30807
75.5 cm7 May 2003Mill Farm Gayhurst75905
75.3 cm11 Jun 1997Mill Farm Gayhurst28877
75 cm24 Jul 2006Newport Pagnell100292
75 cm4 Jun 2004Mill Farm Gayhurst80182
75 cm4 Jun 2004Mill Farm Gayhurst80182
74.5 cm31 Oct 2016Manor Farm Cosgrove149980

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
Manor Farm Cosgrove3 May 199417 Jun 20256
Odell21 Nov 198823 Aug 202312
Mill Farm Gayhurst2 Aug 198819 Aug 201912
Newport Pagnell25 Oct 19914 Sept 201714
Clifton Reynes16 Nov 19886 Aug 20147
DS Wolverton Mill20 Aug 201320 Aug 20131
Turvey31 Oct 19916 Aug 201011
Ravenstone Mill30 Oct 199716 Jul 20095
Radwell / Bletsoe24 Oct 19941 Oct 20075
Pavenham11 Nov 198827 Sept 20075
Oakley25 Oct 199431 Aug 20064
Milton Ernest STW7 Sept 20047 Sept 20041
Falcon Inn Bletsoe6 Sept 20046 Sept 20041
Stoke Mill Sharnbrook3 Sept 20043 Sept 20041
Kempston Mill16 Jul 200416 Jul 20041
Mount Mill Farm27 Apr 200427 Apr 20041
Harrold Country Park8 Nov 199114 Nov 19973
Milton Ernest12 Mar 199219 Oct 19942
Sherrington24 Oct 199124 Oct 19911

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

1988–2025

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 405 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
5.8 cm
Lower quarter
20.3 cm
Median
42.9 cm
Upper quarter
59.8 cm
Largest
80.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

One individual weight was recorded for this fish and river. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Recorded weight
11 lb 12.4 oz (5.34 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 Upper Ouse

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

Pike Perch Dace Roach Chub Gudgeon

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 →