RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the Main River Axe

Largest measured bullhead: 9.2 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Axe was 9.2 cm, recorded at Axe Ford (Te) on 7 June 2021.

Across 530 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 4.8 cm.

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

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation5 June 2025Axe Ford (Te) · 7 fish
Largest measured bullhead
9.2 cm
Median length
4.8 cm
Fish measured
530
Survey locations
22

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured bullhead

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
9.2 cm7 Jun 2021Axe Ford (Te)159899
8.6 cm7 Jun 2021Axe Ford (Te)159899
8.4 cm6 Aug 2007Forde Abbey (Sp/WFD)108417
7.7 cm30 May 2019Axe Ford (Te)154563
7.7 cm30 May 2019Axe Ford (Te)154563
7.7 cm24 Jun 2016Axe Ford (Te)148287
7.6 cm19 Jul 2021Clapton (Sp)160106
7.4 cm30 May 2019Axe Ford (Te)154563
7.3 cm20 Jul 2021Forde Abbey (Sp/WFD)160684
7 cm25 May 2022Downstream Kilmington STW (Dip)161088

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

Explore the river

Where bullhead were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one bullhead 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 bullhead
Axe Ford (Te)28 May 20045 Jun 202516
Wadbrook Farm (5 min)8 Aug 20237 Jun 20242
Downstream Slymlake (5 min)18 May 20237 Jun 20242
Weycroft (5 min)1 Aug 19974 Jun 20244
Upstream Whitford Bridge (5 min)1 Aug 20234 Jun 20242
Upstream Willhay Lane Br (5 min)13 Sept 20233 Jun 20242
Upstream Bow Bridge (5 min)21 Jul 20233 Jun 20242
Bagley Hill (5 min)27 Jul 20233 Jun 20242
Broom Bridge (5 min)8 Aug 202330 May 20242
Upstream Kilmington STW (5 min)17 May 202321 May 20242
Axminster Showground (5 min)17 May 202321 May 20242
Woodhayne (5 min)1 Aug 202320 May 20242
Nunford Bridge (5 min)1 Aug 202320 May 20242
Slymlake Farm (Dip)15 Sept 199718 May 20237
Downstream Kilmington STW (Dip)25 May 202218 May 20232
Axe-Yarty Confluence (Dip)*15 Sept 199717 May 20235
Axminster Town Weir (Sp)4 Aug 199721 Jul 20216
Forde Abbey (Sp/WFD)31 Jul 199720 Jul 20217
Clapton (Sp)30 Jul 199719 Jul 20216
Bere Chapel (Sp)*30 Jul 199716 May 20065
A3052 - Axe Bridge (Dip)*15 Sept 199730 Jun 20042
Seaborough (Sp)*30 Jul 199728 May 20043

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

1997–2025

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 530 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2 cm
Lower quarter
3.5 cm
Median
4.8 cm
Upper quarter
5.4 cm
Largest
9.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Axe

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

Minnow Stone loach European eel Brown / sea trout Atlantic salmon 3-spined stickleback

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 →