RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Aire

Largest measured bullhead: 10.9 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Aire was 10.9 cm, recorded at Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck on 15 July 2005.

Across 937 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 6.1 cm.

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

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation1 July 2026Crossflatts
Largest measured bullhead
10.9 cm
Median length
6.1 cm
Fish measured
937
Survey locations
31

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
10.9 cm15 Jul 2005Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck85137
10.2 cm18 Jul 2006Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck101558
10.1 cm1 Jul 2008Crossflatts114130
10.1 cm9 Sept 2007Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)108178
10 cm1 Jul 2008Crossflatts114130
10 cm15 Jul 2005Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck85137
10 cm15 Jul 2005Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck85137
9.9 cm25 Jul 2017Crossflatts151047
9.9 cm18 Jul 2006Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck101558
9.9 cm15 Jul 2005Crossflatts85136

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
Crossflatts18 Aug 19981 Jul 202613
Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck30 Jul 200230 Jun 202612
Rodley30 Jun 201429 Jun 20262
Thwaite Mill fry Survey22 Aug 201720 Aug 20253
Hanlith Bridge14 Aug 200229 Aug 202415
Woodhouse Road - Site 312 Sept 201912 Sept 20191
Woodhouse Road - Site 212 Sept 201912 Sept 20191
Downstream Woodhouse Road - Site 112 Sept 201912 Sept 20191
Carleton Bridge20 Aug 199824 Jul 201711
Coniston Estate - US Gill Syke27 Oct 201527 Oct 20151
Coniston Estate - DS Gill Syke27 Oct 201527 Oct 20151
Newfield Hall Bridge13 Aug 20025 Sept 20142
Bell Busk22 Aug 20075 Sept 20143
Gargrave Stepping Stones13 Aug 200214 Aug 20143
Upstream Esholt STW2 Jul 20142 Jul 20141
Swillington Bridge19 Aug 19982 Jul 20142
Apperley Bridge18 Jul 20131 Jul 20142
Silsden Bridge18 Aug 199826 Jun 201410
Dark Arches24 Jun 201124 Jun 20111
Thwaite Weir9 Jul 20035 Jul 20105
Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)9 Sept 200722 Jun 20104
Cononley, below Snaygill STW27 Aug 199823 Sept 20076
Keighley (River Worth Confluence) - Fry Survey21 Sept 198425 Sept 200314
Carleton Bridge - Fry Survey1 Oct 199325 Sept 20039
Coniston Cold u/s A65 Bridge13 Aug 200213 Aug 20021
Bingley Downstream A65030 Jul 200230 Jul 20021
Kildwick Bridge25 Jul 200225 Jul 20021
Esholt STW20 Jul 200220 Jul 20021
Gargrave STW20 Aug 199820 Aug 19981
Carleton Bridge Upstream20 Aug 199820 Aug 19981
Cononley - Fry Survey24 Sept 199224 Sept 19921

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

1984–2026

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 937 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.1 cm
Lower quarter
4.3 cm
Median
6.1 cm
Upper quarter
7.1 cm
Largest
10.9 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Aire

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

Minnow Stone loach Chub Gudgeon Brown / sea trout 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 →