RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Lymington

Largest measured bullhead: 9.3 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Lymington was 9.3 cm, recorded at DS Warwickslade Bridge on 17 May 2006.

Across 779 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 4.5 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 434 bullhead. The median was 0 oz (0.001 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2.2 oz (0.062 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 Lymington.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation17 September 2025u/s Blackensford / Bratley confluence · 7 fish
Largest measured bullhead
9.3 cm
Median length
4.5 cm
Fish measured
779
Survey locations
35

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
9.3 cm17 May 2006DS Warwickslade Bridge100642
8.8 cm17 May 2006Woolsfield Hill100023
8.5 cm4 May 2006DS Confluence of Withybed Bottom + Highland Water99738
8.3 cm4 May 2006Lucas Castle99744
7.8 cm4 May 2006DS Confluence of Withybed Bottom + Highland Water99738
7.8 cm24 Jun 2003DS Warwickslade Bridge76276
7.7 cm16 Jun 2003Lucas Castle76408
7.6 cm17 Jul 2025Withybed Bottom177495
7.6 cm1 Aug 2006Ivywood101690
7.5 cm16 May 2006Dames Slough Enclosure100633

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
u/s Blackensford / Bratley confluence19 Jun 200317 Sept 202514
Turfcroft Farm31 Jul 20138 Aug 20253
Fletchers Water26 Jun 200328 Jul 20256
Bratley Wood31 Oct 200728 Jul 20254
Forest Gate1 Aug 201324 Jul 20253
Upstream of Puttle's Bridge6 Aug 201318 Jul 20253
Bolderford Bridge10 Aug 200718 Jul 20254
Withybed Bottom5 Dec 200217 Jul 202512
Lucas Castle16 Jun 200317 Jul 20256
Long Brook20 Aug 200717 Jul 20254
Blackensford Lawn20 Jun 200317 Jul 20256
Bratley Arch10 Sept 200716 Jul 20254
Slufter's Inclosure22 Aug 20077 Jul 20253
Ocknell Inclosure26 Jul 20137 Jul 20253
Mogshade Bottom7 Jul 20257 Jul 20251
Upstream of Turfcroft Farm9 Jul 20199 Jul 20191
Stinking Edge Wood tributary2 Sept 20132 Sept 20131
Blackensford Bottom tributary2 Sept 20132 Sept 20131
Ivywood5 Nov 20036 Aug 20135
Red Rise23 Aug 200712 May 20112
Puttle's Bridge12 May 201112 May 20111
d/s Blackensford / Bratley confluence26 Aug 200926 Aug 20091
Burley Lodge1 Jul 200331 May 20062
Dog Kennel Bridge2 Jul 200318 May 20062
Woolsfield Hill30 Jun 200317 May 20062
Hart Hill27 Jun 200317 May 20062
DS Warwickslade Bridge24 Jun 200317 May 20062
Dames Slough Enclosure24 Jun 200316 May 20062
DS Blackwater Bridge25 Jun 200316 May 20062
Rhinefield26 Jun 20039 May 20062
Poundhill Heath27 Jun 20035 May 20062
Highland water reptillary18 Jun 20035 May 20062
DS Confluence of Withybed Bottom + Highland Water18 Jun 20034 May 20062
Woolsmoor meads 26 Dec 20026 Dec 20021
Woolsmoor Meads 16 Dec 20026 Dec 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 779 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.1 cm
Lower quarter
4 cm
Median
4.5 cm
Upper quarter
5.5 cm
Largest
9.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 434 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 oz (0.001 kg)
Median
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Upper quarter
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Heaviest
2.2 oz (0.062 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 Lymington

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

Brown / sea trout Minnow Stone loach Brook lamprey European eel 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 →