RiverFish

Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Wensum (central)

Largest measured barbel: 85 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (central) was 85 cm, recorded at Hellesdon Road (Albert's) on 10 October 2003.

Across 49 measured barbel, the median measured length was 62.3 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 5 barbel. The median was 9 lb 0.6 oz (4.1 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 11 lb 0.4 oz (5 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 (central).

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation26 September 2013Sparham pool, Lyng · 1 fish
Largest measured barbel
85 cm
Median length
62.3 cm
Fish measured
49
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
85 cm10 Oct 2003Hellesdon Road (Albert's)77391
77.5 cm30 Jul 1986Upstream Drayton Green Lane17239
75.5 cm23 Aug 1990Blakes Meadow17270
73.7 cm30 Jul 1986Upstream Drayton Green Lane17239
73.5 cm23 Aug 1990Blakes Meadow17270
73.5 cm22 Aug 1990Downstream Point Costessey17269
72.5 cm22 Aug 1990Downstream Point Costessey17269
71 cm29 Jul 1986Downstream Broken Bridges17238
69.3 cm24 Aug 1990Downstream Broken Bridges17296
69.3 cm30 Jul 1986Upstream Drayton Green Lane17239

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
Sparham pool, Lyng26 Sept 201326 Sept 20131
Hellesdon Road (Albert's)10 Oct 20032 Aug 20125
Alders Spinney8 Aug 200213 Sept 20104
Blakes Meadow17 Jul 19869 Oct 20093
Downstream Billingford Bridge11 Sept 200711 Sept 20071
Attlebridge Hall Farm29 Sept 200629 Sept 20061
Downstream Ringland Bridge11 Sept 200611 Sept 20061
Downstream Attlebridge Bridge22 Sept 200322 Sept 20031
Downstream Broken Bridges29 Jul 198624 Aug 19902
Downstream Point Costessey28 Jul 198622 Aug 19902
Upstream Drayton Green Lane30 Jul 198630 Jul 19861

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

1986–2013

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 49 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.6 cm
Lower quarter
48.7 cm
Median
62.3 cm
Upper quarter
65.8 cm
Largest
85 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 5 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
7 lb 7.9 oz (3.4 kg)
Lower quarter
8 lb 13.1 oz (4 kg)
Median
9 lb 0.6 oz (4.1 kg)
Upper quarter
10 lb 5.8 oz (4.7 kg)
Heaviest
11 lb 0.4 oz (5 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 (central)

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

Pike Dace Roach European eel Perch 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 →