RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Chess

Largest measured bullhead: 11 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chess was 11 cm, recorded at Latimer Water Meadows on 7 March 2019.

Across 913 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 5.6 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 24 bullhead. The median was 0.2 oz (0.007 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 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 Chess.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation7 October 2025Mountwood Ford
Largest measured bullhead
11 cm
Median length
5.6 cm
Fish measured
913
Survey locations
16

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 cm7 Mar 2019Latimer Water Meadows154363
10.5 cm18 May 2004Mountwood Ford81252
10.3 cm4 Dec 1987British Fresian Society116108
10.1 cm3 Dec 1987Sarratt Mill116102
10 cm6 Mar 2019Large Chess Restore Hope154366
10 cm6 Mar 2019Large Chess Restore Hope154366
10 cm1 Dec 1987Mountwood Ford116111
9.9 cm6 Mar 2019Little Chess Restore Hope154364
9.8 cm6 Mar 2019Large Chess Restore Hope154366
9.7 cm6 Mar 2019Large Chess Restore Hope154366

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
Mountwood Ford1 Dec 19877 Oct 202517
Little Chess Restore Hope6 Mar 20196 Oct 20253
Large Chess Restore Hope6 Mar 20196 Oct 20253
Solesbridge nursery14 Jul 200423 Sept 202516
Scotsbridge Mill9 Jul 200310 May 20237
Latimer Water Meadows7 Mar 20197 Mar 20191
Chenies Bottom Bypass Channel16 May 201316 May 20131
Bois Mill23 Oct 201223 Oct 20121
Loudwater Lane11 Jul 200611 Jul 20061
Sarratt Bottom7 Jul 20067 Jul 20061
Water Cress beds/Chenies6 Jul 20066 Jul 20061
Latimer4 Jul 20064 Jul 20061
Solesbridge mill19 Jun 200619 Jun 20061
Scotts Bridge15 Dec 198715 Dec 19871
British Fresian Society4 Dec 19874 Dec 19871
Sarratt Mill3 Dec 19873 Dec 19871

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

1987–2025

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 913 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1 cm
Lower quarter
4.7 cm
Median
5.6 cm
Upper quarter
7 cm
Largest
11 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 24 bullhead. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
0.1 oz (0.004 kg)
Median
0.2 oz (0.007 kg)
Upper quarter
0.3 oz (0.0085 kg)
Heaviest
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 Chess

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

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

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 →