RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Main Barnstaple Yeo

Largest measured bullhead: 8.5 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Barnstaple Yeo was 8.5 cm, recorded at New Mills (Sp/WFD) on 1 September 2021.

Across 166 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 5.8 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 Main Barnstaple Yeo.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation19 August 2025Shirwell Mill (Sp) · 94 fish
Largest measured bullhead
8.5 cm
Median length
5.8 cm
Fish measured
166
Survey locations
4

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
8.5 cm1 Sept 2021New Mills (Sp/WFD)160456
7.8 cm17 Aug 2007New Mills (Sp/WFD)108509
7.7 cm17 Sept 2018Shirwell Mill (Sp)153573
7.7 cm17 Sept 2018Shirwell Mill (Sp)153573
7.7 cm17 Aug 2007New Mills (Sp/WFD)108509
7.7 cm17 Aug 2007New Mills (Sp/WFD)108509
7.6 cm17 Aug 2007New Mills (Sp/WFD)108509
7.5 cm1 Sept 2021New Mills (Sp/WFD)160456
7.5 cm17 Sept 2018Shirwell Mill (Sp)153573
7.5 cm17 Aug 2007New Mills (Sp/WFD)108509

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
Shirwell Mill (Sp)9 Sept 199619 Aug 20255
New Mills (Sp/WFD)17 Aug 200719 Aug 20258
East Down (Sp)*9 Sept 199623 Sept 19992
Riversmead (Sp)*9 Sept 19969 Sept 19961

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

1996–2025

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 166 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.6 cm
Lower quarter
4.4 cm
Median
5.8 cm
Upper quarter
6.5 cm
Largest
8.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Barnstaple Yeo

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

Brown / sea trout European eel 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 →