RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the Main River Torridge

Largest measured bullhead: 8.3 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main River Torridge was 8.3 cm, recorded at Downstream Horton Bridge (Te) on 16 July 2018.

Across 487 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 3.5 cm.

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

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation9 July 2026Fordmill Farm (Sp) · 21 fish
Largest measured bullhead
8.3 cm
Median length
3.5 cm
Fish measured
487
Survey locations
34

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
8.3 cm16 Jul 2018Downstream Horton Bridge (Te)152909
7.8 cm9 Jul 2019Downstream Haytown Bridge (Te)154781
7.7 cm10 Jul 2017Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)150825
7.6 cm10 Jul 2017Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)150825
7.5 cm9 Jul 2019Downstream Haytown Bridge (Te)154781
7.5 cm10 Jul 2017Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)150825
7.5 cm6 Jul 2017Fordmill Farm (Sp)150822
7.4 cm19 Oct 2017D/s Black Torrington Bridge (Dip)152204
7.4 cm10 Jul 2017Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)150825
7.2 cm9 Jul 2019Downstream Haytown Bridge (Te)154781

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
Fordmill Farm (Sp)28 Jul 19989 Jul 20266
Downstream Haytown Bridge (Te)29 Jul 199816 Jul 202517
Dippermill (Dip/WFD)9 Sept 199717 Sept 20248
Upstream Hut Pool (Dip)24 Sept 199716 Sept 20245
Downstream Rothern Bridge (Dip)23 Sept 199716 Sept 20246
Upstream Newbridge (Dip)18 Sept 19974 Sept 20245
Tockley (Dip)18 Sept 19974 Sept 20245
Downstream Greatwood (Dip)17 Sept 19974 Sept 20247
Settlement (Dip)15 Jul 20033 Sept 20243
Upstream Yeory Pool (Dip)24 Sept 19979 Aug 20245
Upstream Gidcott Mill (Sp)7 Aug 19988 Aug 20245
Allacott (Dip)9 Sept 19978 Aug 20244
Kismeldon Bridge (Sp)7 Aug 19985 Aug 20245
D/s Black Torrington Bridge (Dip)29 Jul 20115 Aug 20244
Castle Hill (Dip)23 Sept 199723 Jul 20246
Downstream Horton Bridge (Te)8 Aug 200228 Jun 202415
Putford Bridge (Sp)30 Jul 199827 Jun 20245
Downstream Hele Bridge (Dip)17 Jul 199719 Oct 20175
Hele Barton (WFDs)*10 Aug 201114 Aug 20132
1km Downstream Hele Bridge (Dip)*17 Sept 199718 Aug 20114
Brightley Barton (Dip)*19 Sept 199717 Aug 20114
Beaford Bridge (Dip)*19 Sept 199717 Aug 20114
Woodrun (Dip)*24 Sept 199716 Aug 20114
Weir Wood (Dip)19 Sept 199710 Aug 20114
Upstream Darkham Wood (Dip)*26 Sept 200110 Aug 20113
Downstream Gidcottmill Bridge (Dip)*21 Aug 199710 Aug 20114
Darkham Wood (Dip)23 Sept 199710 Aug 20115
Blinsham Ford (Dip)19 Sept 199710 Aug 20114
Newton Mill (Sp)*7 Aug 19985 Aug 20113
Downstream Torrington S.T.W. (Dip)*23 Sept 19971 Aug 20115
Monument (Dip)*17 Sept 199727 Jul 20115
Woodford Bridge (Sp)*31 Jul 19988 Aug 20032
Downstream Ash Bridge30 Jul 199819 Sept 20022
Settlement (Sp)*27 Aug 199827 Aug 19981

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

1997–2026

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 487 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.5 cm
Lower quarter
2.8 cm
Median
3.5 cm
Upper quarter
5.2 cm
Largest
8.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main River Torridge

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

Atlantic salmon Minnow Stone loach Brown / sea trout European eel Dace

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 →