Barbel · Barbus barbus

Barbel in the River Witham

Largest measured barbel: 68.4 cm

The largest barbel measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Witham was 68.4 cm, recorded at Upstream Foston Ford on 26 April 2005.

Across 72 measured barbel, the median measured length was 18.1 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 6 barbel. The median was 6 lb 9 oz (2.98 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 12 lb 5.5 oz (5.6 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 Witham.

See barbel records across England →

Most recent observation17 May 2011Upstream Foston Ford · 1 fish

Largest measured barbel: 68.4 cm
Median length: 18.1 cm
Fish measured: 72
Survey locations: 4

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
68.4 cm	26 Apr 2005	Upstream Foston Ford	84495
67.1 cm	26 Apr 2004	Upstream Foston Ford	79738
65.2 cm	26 Apr 2005	Upstream Foston Ford	84495
64.1 cm	8 Apr 2008	Upstream Foston Ford	110826
64 cm	26 Apr 2004	Upstream Foston Ford	79738
60.5 cm	24 Apr 2006	Upstream Foston Ford	90923
60.4 cm	16 Apr 2009	Upstream Foston Ford	117198
60.2 cm	8 Apr 2008	Upstream Foston Ford	110826
59.5 cm	8 Apr 2008	Upstream Foston Ford	110826
59.2 cm	16 Apr 2009	Upstream Foston Ford	117198

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
Upstream Foston Ford	26 Apr 2004	17 May 2011	7
Claypole Bridge	18 Jul 1991	23 Apr 2010	10
Haddington Bridge	7 Jul 2005	7 Jul 2005	1
Upstream Beckingham Bridge	16 Jun 2004	16 Jun 2004	1

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

1991–2011

Survey records by year

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

191

092

093

094

095

096

197

098

099

000

001

102

103

304

305

206

207

208

109

110

111

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 72 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 5.4 cm
Lower quarter: 14.3 cm
Median: 18.1 cm
Upper quarter: 30.9 cm
Largest: 68.4 cm

0–99 mm

100–199 mm

200–299 mm

300–399 mm

400–499 mm

500–599 mm

600–699 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 6 barbel. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest: 5 lb 11.7 oz (2.6 kg)
Lower quarter: 6 lb 4.3 oz (2.84 kg)
Median: 6 lb 9 oz (2.98 kg)
Upper quarter: 9 lb 12.1 oz (4.43 kg)
Heaviest: 12 lb 5.5 oz (5.6 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 Witham

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

Dace Roach Gudgeon European eel Perch Pike

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 →