RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Main Lyd

Largest measured bullhead: 8.8 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Lyd was 8.8 cm, recorded at Warren Wood on 21 July 2023.

Across 6,474 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 5.1 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 Main Lyd.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation8 September 2025Lifton Playing Field · 73 fish
Largest measured bullhead
8.8 cm
Median length
5.1 cm
Fish measured
6,474
Survey locations
19

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
8.8 cm21 Jul 2023Warren Wood164045
8.6 cm20 Jun 2013Sydenham136763
8.5 cm1 Oct 2015Lifton Park146803
8.5 cm27 Aug 2013Lifton Playing Field138139
8.4 cm7 Jul 2025u/s Gatherley177578
8.3 cm7 Jul 2025u/s Gatherley177578
8.3 cm23 Aug 2013u/s Gatherley138121
8.3 cm20 Jun 2013Sydenham136763
8.1 cm7 Aug 2015u/s Gatherley145797
8.1 cm3 Sept 2013Lifton Park138396

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
Lifton Playing Field20 Aug 19938 Sept 202522
Lydford Gorge20 Aug 198422 Aug 202528
Greenlanes13 Aug 198411 Aug 202530
Spry Farm15 Aug 19846 Aug 202532
u/s Gatherley26 Aug 19937 Jul 202525
Sydenham14 Aug 198427 Jun 202532
Lyd Confluence9 Aug 199411 Aug 20239
Downstream Greenlanes8 Aug 20238 Aug 20231
Upstream Spry Farm31 Jul 202331 Jul 20231
Downstream Coryton Mill31 Jul 202331 Jul 20231
Warren Wood21 Jul 202321 Jul 20231
Downstream Lifton Playing Field14 Jul 202314 Jul 20231
Upstream Sydenham20 Jun 202320 Jun 20231
Lifton Park24 Aug 199319 Aug 202116
Coryton Bridge16 Aug 19843 Aug 20217
Colemans Farm3 Oct 200524 Sept 20083
Langham10 Aug 198421 Sept 20015
Sydenham lower gravel retention7 Jul 199527 Jun 19962
Sydenham upper gravel retention10 Jul 199524 Jun 19962

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

1984–2025

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 6,474 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.6 cm
Lower quarter
3.5 cm
Median
5.1 cm
Upper quarter
5.9 cm
Largest
8.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Lyd

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

Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout European eel Stone loach Brook lamprey Minnow

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 →