RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Chelmer

Largest measured bullhead: 11 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 11 cm, recorded at Langleys Dunmow on 21 September 1983.

Across 1,232 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 6.2 cm.

Surveyors recorded one individual weight: 0.7 oz (0.02 kg).

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

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation1 October 2025Warners Farm · 13 fish
Largest measured bullhead
11 cm
Median length
6.2 cm
Fish measured
1,232
Survey locations
29

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
11 cm21 Sept 1983Langleys Dunmow60400
9.8 cm4 Sept 1986Littley Park14291
9.7 cm15 Sept 2016Camsix Farm A149433
9.7 cm11 Sept 1986Churchend FGS14296
9.6 cm10 Sept 1986Langleys Dunmow14295
9.5 cm14 Aug 2007Warners Farm106320
9.5 cm9 Feb 1998Duton Hill (River Chelmer)13424
9.5 cm11 Sept 1986Churchend FGS14296
9.3 cm24 Jul 2013Chelmsford Viaduct138634
9.3 cm26 Aug 1998Churchend FGS14456

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
Warners Farm28 Aug 19921 Oct 20259
Chelmsford Viaduct17 Aug 201025 Sept 20256
Camsix Farm A14 Aug 199823 Sept 20259
Upstream Croxtons13 Aug 200720 Aug 20256
Langleys Dunmow21 Sept 198319 Aug 202513
Barnes Mill5 Jun 20094 Jul 20256
Brookend4 Jun 200925 Jun 20254
Cuton Hall21 Jun 201016 Jun 20255
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)11 Jun 200913 Jun 20257
Hoe Mill Cut17 Jun 201012 Jun 20255
Downstream Ricketts Lock10 Jun 20135 Jun 20253
A12 Bridge (C&B Canal)6 Jul 20102 Aug 20224
Downstream Paper Mills13 Jun 201328 Jun 20223
Sugar Mills7 Jun 20131 Jun 20222
Felstead A18 Aug 19986 Oct 20165
Littley Park4 Sept 19865 Oct 20167
Little Waltham1 Sept 198621 Sept 20167
Ricketts Cut25 Jun 20045 Jul 20164
Bowyers Bridge9 Feb 199821 Mar 20143
Stanbrook10 Feb 199829 Mar 20123
Absol Bridge1 Sept 198921 Sept 20106
Springfield5 Aug 200425 Aug 20102
Downstream Croxtons9 Aug 200411 Aug 20103
Sandford Cut29 Jun 201029 Jun 20101
Kings Mill16 Jun 201016 Jun 20101
Cuton Lock22 Oct 200722 Oct 20071
Upstream Rushes Lock18 Oct 200418 Oct 20072
Duton Hill (River Chelmer)9 Feb 199818 Jan 20052
Churchend FGS19 Sept 198329 Sept 20047

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

1983–2025

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 1,232 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.4 cm
Lower quarter
5.4 cm
Median
6.2 cm
Upper quarter
7.1 cm
Largest
11 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

One individual weight was recorded for this fish and river. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Recorded weight
0.7 oz (0.02 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Chelmer

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

Chub Roach Pike Dace Gudgeon 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 →