RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Wandle

Largest measured barbel: 75.1 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wandle was 75.1 cm, recorded at Phipps Bridge on 7 June 2011.

Across 534 measured barbel, the median measured length was 28.4 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 Wandle.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation7 October 2025Mapleton Road · 11 fish
Largest measured barbel
75.1 cm
Median length
28.4 cm
Fish measured
534
Survey locations
11

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
75.1 cm7 Jun 2011Phipps Bridge126486
71.8 cm26 Jun 2019Sainsburys Merton154745
69 cm5 Jul 2017Sainsburys Merton150962
68 cm8 Jun 2011Waterside Way126472
65.1 cm5 Jul 2017Sainsburys Merton150962
64.8 cm5 Jul 2017Sainsburys Merton150962
64.8 cm11 Jun 2013Trewint Street - Weir Road136475
64.4 cm26 Jun 2019Sainsburys Merton154745
64.2 cm2 Jul 2019Waterside Way154738
64 cm22 Jun 2017Waterside Way150620

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
Mapleton Road18 Jun 20097 Oct 20256
Waterside Way15 Jun 20092 Oct 20257
Sainsburys Merton12 Jun 20091 Oct 20257
Hackbridge29 Jul 199725 Jun 201914
Ravensbury Park18 Jul 201718 Jul 20171
Watermeads Lane17 Jun 200929 Jun 20174
Phipps Bridge7 Jun 201124 Jun 20153
Trewint Street - Weir Road11 Jun 201311 Jun 20131
King George Park9 Jun 201111 Jun 20132
Church Road12 May 200412 May 20041
North road, Colliers Wood17 Jul 199717 Jul 19971

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

1997–2025

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 534 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
4.9 cm
Lower quarter
19.9 cm
Median
28.5 cm
Upper quarter
46.6 cm
Largest
75.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wandle

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

3-spined stickleback Stone loach European eel Chub Roach Dace

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 →