RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Itchen

Largest measured bullhead: 16.9 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Itchen was 16.9 cm, recorded at Bishopstoke Barge on 3 September 2008.

Across 737 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 6.1 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 2 bullhead. The median was 0.2 oz (0.0045 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 0.2 oz (0.006 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 Itchen.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation5 September 2025Brambridge main "Kanara" · 67 fish
Largest measured bullhead
16.9 cm
Median length
6.1 cm
Fish measured
737
Survey locations
37

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
16.9 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
16 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
15.4 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
14.9 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
14.7 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
13.6 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
10.5 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
10.4 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
10.3 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676
10.2 cm3 Sept 2008Bishopstoke Barge114676

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
St Cross Mill "eel trap run"2 Sept 20245 Sept 20252
St Cross Mill7 Sept 20235 Sept 20253
St Cross Bridge15 Sept 20155 Sept 20258
Brambridge main "Kanara"6 Sept 20235 Sept 20253
Wolvesey Lodge27 Aug 20084 Sept 20259
Hockley Mill14 Sept 20094 Sept 202510
Swimming Pool, Winchester18 Aug 20093 Sept 20259
Shipley Bridge, Otterbourne11 Sept 20183 Sept 20257
Shawford, upstream of Norris's Bridge13 Sept 20183 Sept 20258
Lower Bishopstoke Fishery10 Sept 20183 Sept 20257
Caravan Pool, Highbridge2 Sept 20153 Sept 20258
Brambridge19 Oct 20093 Sept 202510
Toby Carvery Bishopstoke10 Sept 20182 Sept 20257
Lower Itchen Fishery - d/s viaduct2 Sept 20151 Sept 20256
Lower Itchen Fishery - Hut Run10 Sept 20241 Sept 20252
Bishopstoke Barge31 Aug 200429 Aug 202512
Shawford Park6 Oct 200828 Aug 202511
Fulling Mill, Abbott's Worthy12 Aug 200921 Aug 20259
Abbots Worthy, u/s Mill16 Oct 201819 Oct 20242
Abbott's Barton Chalk Straight17 Sept 202117 Sept 20211
Woodmill16 Sept 201916 Sept 20191
Abbots Worthy, Rochienne's d/s offtake24 Oct 201824 Oct 20181
Abbots Worthy, Rochienne's control24 Oct 201824 Oct 20181
Abbots Worthy, d/s M316 Oct 201816 Oct 20181
Mansbridge10 Sept 201810 Sept 20181
Avington15 Sept 201515 Sept 20151
Twyford Lodge18 Oct 201118 Oct 20111
Abbott's Barton, duck's nest spinney27 Sept 201027 Sept 20101
Abbott's Barton Upper27 Sept 201027 Sept 20101
Segar's Farm28 Oct 200928 Oct 20091
St Cross Carrier18 Sept 200918 Sept 20091
Bishopstoke Lock5 Sept 20024 Sept 20095
Fallodon Stream17 Aug 200917 Aug 20091
Chilland House11 Aug 200911 Aug 20091
Abbots Barton Lower10 Oct 200710 Oct 20071
Railway25 Sept 200231 Aug 20052
Shawford, downtream of Norris's Bridge24 Sept 200224 Sept 20021

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

2002–2025

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 737 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.9 cm
Lower quarter
5 cm
Median
6.1 cm
Upper quarter
7 cm
Largest
16.9 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 2 bullhead. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.1 oz (0.003 kg)
Lower quarter
0.1 oz (0.0038 kg)
Median
0.2 oz (0.0045 kg)
Upper quarter
0.2 oz (0.0052 kg)
Heaviest
0.2 oz (0.006 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 Itchen

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

Brown / sea trout Minnow European eel Atlantic salmon Grayling Brook lamprey

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 →