RiverFish

Roach · Rutilus rutilus

Roach in the South Drove Drain

Largest measured roach: 29.7 cm

The largest roach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the South Drove Drain was 29.7 cm, recorded at Downstream Lucks Bridge on 5 April 2016.

Across 6,916 measured roach, the median measured length was 9.5 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the South Drove Drain.

See roach records across England →

Most recent observation7 May 2025Upstream Smiths Bridge · 36 fish
Largest measured roach
29.7 cm
Median length
9.5 cm
Fish measured
6,916
Survey locations
9

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured roach

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
29.7 cm5 Apr 2016Downstream Lucks Bridge147981
25.5 cm9 Aug 1991Upstream Horseshoe Bridge54655
25 cm9 Aug 1991Upstream Horseshoe Bridge54655
24.5 cm13 Aug 1991Upstream Lucks Bridge54653
24.3 cm5 Apr 2016Downstream Lucks Bridge147981
24 cm13 Aug 1991Upstream Lucks Bridge54653
24 cm9 Aug 1991Upstream Horseshoe Bridge54655
23.5 cm13 Aug 1991Upstream Lucks Bridge54653
23.5 cm9 Aug 1991Upstream Horseshoe Bridge54655
23.5 cm9 Aug 1991Upstream Horseshoe Bridge54655

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

Explore the river

Where roach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one roach 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 roach
Upstream Smiths Bridge14 Aug 19917 May 20255
Downstream Lucks Bridge5 Apr 20165 Apr 20161
Lucks Bridge9 Oct 20039 Oct 20031
Downstream Horseshoe Bridge21 Apr 199921 Apr 19991
Upstream Lucks Bridge13 Aug 199115 Jul 19942
A16 Lucks Bridge12 Aug 199114 Jul 19942
South Drove Upstream Pode Hole8 Aug 199113 Jul 19942
Crowland Common2 Sept 19912 Sept 19911
Upstream Horseshoe Bridge9 Aug 19919 Aug 19911

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

1991–2025

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 6,916 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.5 cm
Lower quarter
7 cm
Median
9.5 cm
Upper quarter
12 cm
Largest
29.7 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the South Drove Drain

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

Pike Perch Tench Common bream Bleak Spined loach

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 →