Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Wensum (Barbel)

Largest measured barbel: 78 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (Barbel) was 78 cm, recorded at Lenwade Bridge on 24 October 2006.

Across 408 measured barbel, the median measured length was 19.7 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 49 barbel. The median was 4 lb 13.6 oz (2.2 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 15 lb 3.4 oz (6.9 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 Wensum (Barbel).

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation23 October 2016Taverham · 1 fish

Largest measured barbel: 78 cm
Median length: 19.7 cm
Fish measured: 408
Survey locations: 10

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured barbel

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
78 cm	24 Oct 2006	Lenwade Bridge	124445
77.2 cm	25 Oct 2006	Downstream Costessey Weir	124130
74.7 cm	23 Oct 2006	Taverham	124132
73.8 cm	13 Oct 2005	Taverham	147501
72.8 cm	23 Oct 2006	Taverham	124132
72 cm	13 Oct 2005	Taverham	147501
71 cm	19 Aug 2010	Lenwade Bridge	123955
68.7 cm	23 Oct 2006	Taverham	124132
67 cm	23 Oct 2006	Taverham	124132
64.7 cm	20 Oct 2011	Hellesdon	129229

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding barbel
Taverham	13 Oct 2005	23 Oct 2016	8
Downstream Costessey Weir	20 Oct 2005	23 Oct 2016	9
Lenwade Bridge	6 Oct 2005	16 Oct 2016	10
Attlebridge Hall Farm	12 Oct 2005	30 Sept 2015	3
Hellesdon	17 Oct 2005	29 Sept 2015	6
Ringland Bridge	7 Oct 2005	4 Oct 2013	6
Lyng Side Channel	6 Oct 2005	4 Oct 2013	7
Downstream Costessey point (all species)	24 Sept 2013	24 Sept 2013	1
Downstream Taverham Mill (All species)	20 Sept 2013	20 Sept 2013	1
Downstream Lenwade Bridge (all species)	12 Sept 2013	12 Sept 2013	1

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

2005–2016

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded barbel that year.

705

606

707

008

209

510

611

312

813

014

515

316

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 408 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 6 cm
Lower quarter: 11.3 cm
Median: 19.7 cm
Upper quarter: 24.7 cm
Largest: 78 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

152

200–299 mm

137

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

700–799 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 49 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 1.5 oz (0.043 kg)
Lower quarter: 10.2 oz (0.29 kg)
Median: 4 lb 13.6 oz (2.2 kg)
Upper quarter: 8 lb 9.6 oz (3.9 kg)
Heaviest: 15 lb 3.4 oz (6.9 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 Wensum (Barbel)

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

Pike Brown / sea trout Chub Dace Minnow Perch

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 →