Spined loach · Cobitis taenia

Spined loach in the River Witham

Largest measured spined loach: 12.6 cm

The largest spined loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Witham was 12.6 cm, recorded at Kirkstead Bridge (Witham) on 15 July 2003.

Across 150 measured spined loach, the median measured length was 8 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 Witham.

See spined loach records across England →

Most recent observation3 May 2017Upstream Beckingham Bridge

Largest measured spined loach: 12.6 cm
Median length: 8 cm
Fish measured: 150
Survey locations: 18

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured spined loach

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
12.6 cm	15 Jul 2003	Kirkstead Bridge (Witham)	76906
12.4 cm	4 Jun 1998	Short Ferry (Witham)	53396
11.5 cm	18 Jul 2003	Kirks Farm R/B (Witham)	78323
11.3 cm	3 Sept 2007	Haddington Bridge	106574
11.3 cm	4 Jun 1998	Short Ferry (Witham)	53396
10.6 cm	8 Mar 1988	Marston Bridge	53100
10.2 cm	8 Mar 1988	Marston Bridge	53100
10.2 cm	8 Mar 1988	Marston Bridge	53100
10.1 cm	10 Jun 1998	Downstream R/B Beet Factory (Witham)	53398
10 cm	4 Sept 2008	Haddington Bridge	114400

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

Explore the river

Where spined loach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one spined 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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding spined loach
Upstream Beckingham Bridge	11 Apr 1988	3 May 2017	8
Tattershall Bridge (Witham)	28 Jun 1994	4 Jun 2014	4
Upstream Bracebridge Bridge	23 Jun 2011	23 Jun 2011	1
Haddington Bridge	18 Oct 2006	11 May 2011	4
Claypole Bridge	23 Apr 2010	23 Apr 2010	1
Ex Power Station (Witham)	12 Jun 2007	12 Jun 2007	1
Kirks Farm R/B (Witham)	18 Jul 2003	27 Jul 2006	2
Short Ferry (Witham)	4 Jun 1998	20 Jul 2006	4
Five Mile House Bridge (Witham)	11 Jul 1988	18 Jul 2006	3
Pelhams Land R/B (Witham)	28 Jul 2004	28 Jul 2004	1
Kirkstead Bridge (Witham)	23 Jun 1994	26 Jul 2004	5
Thorpe Tilney Road (Witham)	15 Jun 2000	15 Jun 2000	1
Southrey (Witham)	11 Jun 1998	11 Jun 1998	1
Downstream R/B Beet Factory (Witham)	10 Jun 1998	10 Jun 1998	1
Greetwell Hall (Witham)	7 Jun 1994	2 Jun 1998	2
Blackmoor Farm Witham	9 Oct 1985	17 Sept 1997	2
Upstream R/B Bardney Bridge (Witham)	13 Jun 1994	13 Jun 1994	1
Marston Bridge	8 Mar 1988	8 Mar 1988	1

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

1985–2017

Survey records by year

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

185

086

087

388

089

090

091

092

093

594

095

096

197

498

099

200

001

202

203

404

005

506

307

308

109

210

211

012

013

214

015

016

117

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 150 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 4.4 cm
Lower quarter: 7 cm
Median: 8 cm
Upper quarter: 8.8 cm
Largest: 12.6 cm

0–99 mm

137

100–199 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

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 →