RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the Main River Barle

Largest measured bullhead: 8.5 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Barle was 8.5 cm, recorded at Aclands (Te) on 9 August 2021.

Across 668 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 5.2 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 Barle.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation9 July 2025Simonsbath (Te) · 120 fish
Largest measured bullhead
8.5 cm
Median length
5.2 cm
Fish measured
668
Survey locations
18

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
8.5 cm9 Aug 2021Aclands (Te)160633
8.5 cm27 Jun 2018Simonsbath (Te)152691
8.2 cm11 Aug 2016Crayfish Project Zone 4149051
8 cm12 Sept 2021Simonsbath (Te)160548
8 cm11 Aug 2016Strong Ford (Sp)149055
7.9 cm24 Aug 2017Simonsbath (Te)151414
7.9 cm11 Aug 2016Strong Ford (Sp)149055
7.8 cm26 Jun 2018Aclands (Te)152690
7.7 cm24 Aug 2017Simonsbath (Te)151414
7.5 cm28 Sept 2018Picked Stones (Sp)153620

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
Simonsbath (Te)2 Jul 19989 Jul 202517
Aclands (Te)16 Jun 19982 Jul 202522
Upstream Perry Weir (Dip)5 Sept 200522 Sept 20225
Downstream Perry Weir (Dip)5 Sept 200522 Sept 20226
Tarr Steps hotel (dip)30 Sept 20047 Sept 20224
South Barton Wood (Dip)25 Aug 20097 Sept 20223
Strong Ford (Sp)9 Jul 199831 Aug 20227
D/s Withypool (Sp)2 Sept 200431 Aug 20225
Downstream Cornham Ford (Sp)1 Jul 199826 Aug 20225
Bottom of Barle (Dip)5 Sept 200522 Aug 20225
Picked Stones (Sp)2 Jul 199819 Aug 20226
Downstream Cornham Brake (Sp)29 Jun 200430 Jun 20223
Landacre Bridge (Sp)*7 Jul 199828 Sept 20182
Crayfish Project Zone 713 Aug 20158 Aug 20173
Crayfish Project Zone 413 Aug 20158 Aug 20173
Batsom Ford (Te)*9 Jul 199823 Aug 20054
Knaplock Wood (Dip)*30 Sept 200430 Sept 20041
Sherdon Hutch (Te)*7 Jul 199817 Sept 20033

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

1998–2025

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 668 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.1 cm
Lower quarter
3.4 cm
Median
5.2 cm
Upper quarter
5.9 cm
Largest
8.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Barle

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Stone loach Minnow European eel

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 →