RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Ure

Largest measured barbel: 88.5 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Ure was 88.5 cm, recorded at Westwick on 17 July 2006.

Across 474 measured barbel, the median measured length was 9.3 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 26 barbel. The median was 4 lb 11 oz (2.13 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 8 lb 8.1 oz (3.86 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 Ure.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation13 August 2025Bellflask - Fry Survey · 13 fish
Largest measured barbel
88.5 cm
Median length
9.3 cm
Fish measured
474
Survey locations
15

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
88.5 cm17 Jul 2006Westwick100737
69.7 cm28 Jul 2014Westwick141922
69.6 cm28 Jul 2014Westwick141922
69.1 cm11 Jul 2019Westwick154813
69.1 cm11 Jul 2019Westwick154813
69.1 cm3 Jul 2015Westwick145344
68.8 cm11 Jul 2019Westwick154813
68.5 cm16 Jul 2025Boroughbridge177533
68.1 cm3 Jul 2015Westwick145344
67.8 cm27 Jul 2010Westwick123266

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
Bellflask - Fry Survey21 Sept 199913 Aug 202513
Boroughbridge9 Jul 200216 Jul 202511
Middleham8 Aug 199615 Jul 202513
Westwick8 Jul 200210 Jul 202519
Boroughbridge - Fry Survey21 Sept 198819 Aug 20153
Jervaulx (lower site)30 Aug 200730 Aug 20071
Wensley Bridge29 Jul 200328 Jul 20062
Kilgram Upper Site2 Aug 200020 Jul 20062
Kilgram Lower Site26 Jul 200420 Jul 20063
Ripon Golf Club8 Jul 200213 Jul 20053
Hewick Bridge (single anode)21 Jul 200421 Jul 20041
Mickley Old Weir (u/s site)23 Jul 199725 Jul 20012
Mickley New Weir (d/s site)23 Jul 199730 Jul 19992
Hewick Bridge (Boom boat)29 Jul 199929 Jul 19991
Clifton Castle7 Aug 19967 Aug 19961

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 474 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.6 cm
Lower quarter
3 cm
Median
9.3 cm
Upper quarter
52.7 cm
Largest
88.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 26 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
2 lb 8 oz (1.14 kg)
Lower quarter
3 lb 11.5 oz (1.69 kg)
Median
4 lb 11 oz (2.13 kg)
Upper quarter
6 lb 9.5 oz (2.99 kg)
Heaviest
8 lb 8.1 oz (3.86 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 Ure

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

Minnow European eel Brown / sea trout Chub 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 →