RiverFish

Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the River Wensum (central)

Largest measured stone loach: 11.8 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (central) was 11.8 cm, recorded at Sparham pool, Lyng on 19 October 2017.

Across 2,565 measured stone loach, the median measured length was 7.7 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 Wensum (central).

See stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation10 September 2025Swanton Morley · 2 fish
Largest measured stone loach
11.8 cm
Median length
7.7 cm
Fish measured
2,565
Survey locations
29

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured stone loach

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
11.8 cm19 Oct 2017Sparham pool, Lyng152393
11.4 cm19 Oct 2017Sparham pool, Lyng152393
11.2 cm9 Aug 2018Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge154131
11.2 cm10 Oct 2017Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge152404
11.2 cm23 Oct 2007Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge107737
11 cm24 Oct 2018Sparham pool, Lyng154259
11 cm9 Aug 2018Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge154131
10.9 cm23 Aug 2022Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge162000
10.9 cm20 Apr 2015Pensthorpe Hall145062
10.8 cm23 Aug 2022Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge162000

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where stone loach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one stone loach 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 stone loach
Swanton Morley23 Jun 198610 Sept 202514
Hellesdon Road (Albert's)4 Aug 199715 Aug 202512
Alders Spinney15 Aug 199014 Aug 202517
Downstream Elsing Mill23 Jun 19867 Aug 202518
Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge9 Jun 19861 Aug 202525
Sparham pool, Lyng26 Sept 20136 Sept 20245
County School18 Jun 198620 Aug 202411
Upstream Lenwade Mill22 Jun 199413 Aug 20246
Upstream Bintree Mill12 Jun 198623 Jul 202411
Pensthorpe Hall10 Jun 19867 Aug 201811
Blakes Meadow17 Sept 20039 Oct 20092
Upstream Drayton Green Lane28 Aug 19908 Oct 20092
Lyng Pits27 Jul 19901 Oct 20096
Downstream Ringland Bridge10 Aug 199030 Sept 20095
Upstream Gt Ryburgh4 Jul 199028 Sept 20095
Downstream Guist Bridge17 Jun 198624 Sept 20095
Downstream Billingford Bridge16 Jul 19904 Sept 200910
Attlebridge Hall Farm9 Aug 199029 Sept 20065
Walcis' Hill Meadow6 Oct 20036 Oct 20031
Downstream Attlebridge Bridge7 Jul 198622 Sept 20035
Costessey Pits14 Aug 199024 Jul 19972
Pinewood23 Jul 198617 Jul 19973
Downstream Point Costessey28 Jul 19869 Jul 19972
Downstream Broken Bridges8 Jul 19978 Jul 19971
Walcis Farm30 Jun 19866 Jun 19973
Swan Rescue20 Aug 19905 Jun 19972
Upstream Elsing Mill26 Jun 198613 May 19972
Castle Farm20 Jul 19907 May 19973
Sennowe Park10 Jun 198624 Apr 19974

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

1986–2025

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded stone loach that year.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 2,565 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2 cm
Lower quarter
6.5 cm
Median
7.7 cm
Upper quarter
8.5 cm
Largest
11.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

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 →