Lectin-labelled magnetic beads were assessed and compared with antisera as an alternative approach for the targeted separation and isolation of enteric bacteria. Of the 16 lectins tested against a range of bacterial species, concanavalin A (conA) showed the greatest potential. Agglutination of bacterial cells in suspension using conA and methods for effective labelling of the magnetic beads with the lectin were optimized. ConA-labelled magnetic beads were compared with antibody-labelled beads for recovery of bacterial cells from pure or mixed laboratory cultures and from natural populations in river water. Recovered cell populations were free from environmental impurities and a high percentage of the culturable cells was extracted. Specific cell recovery was found to be variable, but the use of lectins offers some promise as an alternative cell discriminator.