Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Irwell

Largest measured bullhead: 11.9 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Irwell was 11.9 cm, recorded at Iwir07 on 29 June 2004.

Across 179 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 7.1 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 Irwell.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation9 June 2022Iwir04

Largest measured bullhead: 11.9 cm
Median length: 7.1 cm
Fish measured: 179
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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
11.9 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir07	81759
11.5 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir07	81759
10.8 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir03	81752
10.5 cm	9 Jul 2003	Iwir08	76342
10.3 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir07	81759
10.3 cm	12 Jul 2002	Iwir05	60601
10.2 cm	9 Jul 2003	Iwir06	76340
9.6 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir07	81759
9.5 cm	9 Jul 2003	Iwir06	76340
9.5 cm	12 Jul 2002	Iwir05	60601

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding bullhead
Iwir04	13 Jul 2011	9 Jun 2022	2
Iwir08	9 Jul 2003	3 Aug 2015	2
Iwir07	29 Jun 2004	3 Aug 2015	2
u/s Holme Bridge	10 Jul 2014	10 Jul 2014	1
d/s Holme Bridge	10 Jul 2014	10 Jul 2014	1
Iwir05.5	1 Jan 1997	13 Jul 2011	2
Iwir10	8 Jul 2003	26 Sept 2008	5
Iwir15	8 Jun 2005	8 Jun 2005	1
Iwir09	29 Jun 2004	29 Jun 2004	1
Iwir03	22 Nov 1996	29 Jun 2004	2
Iwir06	6 Jan 1997	9 Jul 2003	2
Iwir20	7 Jul 2003	7 Jul 2003	1
Iwir05	22 Nov 1996	12 Jul 2002	2
Ir10	6 Jan 1997	6 Jan 1997	1
Ir07	6 Jan 1997	6 Jan 1997	1
Ir05	22 Nov 1996	22 Nov 1996	1

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

1996–2022

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded bullhead that year.

396

497

098

099

000

001

102

403

404

205

106

007

108

009

010

211

012

013

214

215

016

017

018

019

020

021

122

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 179 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.3 cm
Lower quarter: 6.7 cm
Median: 7.1 cm
Upper quarter: 8 cm
Largest: 11.9 cm

0–99 mm

172

100–199 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Irwell

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

Brown / sea trout Minnow Stone loach 3-spined stickleback Gudgeon Chub

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 →