RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Wear

Largest measured barbel: 69 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wear was 69 cm, recorded at River Wear at Durham on 21 August 2013.

Across 78 measured barbel, the median measured length was 28.7 cm.

Surveyors recorded one individual weight: 1.2 oz (0.035 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 Wear.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation12 September 2013River Wear at Jubilee Bridge · 1 fish
Largest measured barbel
69 cm
Median length
28.7 cm
Fish measured
78
Survey locations
14

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
69 cm21 Aug 2013River Wear at Durham138056
67.4 cm20 Aug 2013River Wear at Chester-le-street Sewage Works138039
66.9 cm16 Jun 2003River Wear At Chester-le Street78225
66.3 cm24 Jun 2003River Wear at Bishop Auckland77942
65 cm22 Jun 2005River Wear at Wadsworth (c)89290
63.9 cm20 Aug 2013River Wear at Chester-le-street Sewage Works138039
60 cm22 Jun 2005River Wear at Wadsworth (c)89290
60 cm22 Jun 2005River Wear at Wadsworth (c)89290
60 cm22 Jun 2005River Wear at Wadsworth (c)89290
56.2 cm20 Aug 2013River Wear at Chester-le-street Sewage Works138039

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
River Wear at Jubilee Bridge12 Sept 201312 Sept 20131
River Wear at Durham21 Aug 201321 Aug 20131
River Wear at Chester-le-street Sewage Works20 Aug 201320 Aug 20131
River Wear at Wadsworth (c)22 Jun 200522 Jun 20051
River Wear at Escomb Weir (c)22 Jun 200522 Jun 20051
River Wear at Durham City (c)8 Jun 20058 Jun 20051
River Wear at Kepier Farm (c)7 Jun 20057 Jun 20051
River Wear at Finchale Priory (c)7 Jun 20057 Jun 20051
River Wear at Shincliffe Bridge7 Oct 20037 Oct 20031
River Wear at Harbour House Farm25 Jun 20023 Oct 20033
River Wear at Kepier farm26 Jun 200225 Jun 20032
River Wear at Finchale Abbey14 Aug 200125 Jun 20033
River Wear at Bishop Auckland28 Aug 200124 Jun 20033
River Wear At Chester-le Street16 Jun 200316 Jun 20031

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

2001–2013

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 78 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.5 cm
Lower quarter
19.3 cm
Median
28.7 cm
Upper quarter
48.3 cm
Largest
69 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
1.2 oz (0.035 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 Wear

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

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

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 →