RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Main Tamar

Largest measured bullhead: 9.9 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Main Tamar was 9.9 cm, recorded at Tamarstone on 11 July 2011.

Across 3,998 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 4.1 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 Tamar.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation6 August 2025Tamarstone · 59 fish
Largest measured bullhead
9.9 cm
Median length
4.1 cm
Fish measured
3,998
Survey locations
39

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
9.9 cm11 Jul 2011Tamarstone126910
9 cm19 Aug 2022Wishworthy161861
9 cm19 Jul 2016d/s Greystone Bridge148860
8.8 cm21 Jul 2016u/s North Tamerton148696
8.7 cm19 Aug 2022u/s Lamerhooe Ford161702
8.7 cm21 Jul 2015Tamarstone145523
8.6 cm19 Aug 2022u/s Lamerhooe Ford161702
8.6 cm19 Jul 2016u/s Lamerhooe Ford148861
8.6 cm21 Jul 2015Tamarstone145523
8.6 cm19 Aug 2013Tamarstone138026

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
Tamarstone2 Aug 19906 Aug 202526
u/s North Tamerton2 Sept 199316 Aug 202414
u/s Polson Bridge18 Aug 19935 Sept 20234
Lawhitton18 Aug 19935 Sept 20234
Wishworthy18 Aug 199323 Aug 20237
Lowley Confluence16 Aug 199323 Aug 20233
Gordonhill Plantation23 Aug 202323 Aug 20231
d/s Greystone Bridge17 Aug 199312 Jul 20236
d/s Netherbridge18 Aug 19933 Jul 20238
Dexbeer3 Aug 19906 Sept 202215
Luffincott19 Aug 199323 Aug 20227
u/s Lamerhooe Ford27 Aug 199319 Aug 20226
Southcombe16 Aug 199319 Aug 20228
Gravel17 Aug 199319 Aug 20226
Tamartown1 Aug 19902 Aug 20227
Bridgerule24 Jul 19901 Aug 202214
u/s Tamar Lakes3 Jun 199319 May 20169
Tetcott Spawning Bed 128 Sept 201028 Sept 20101
Tetcott Gravel Reb Site 728 Sept 201028 Sept 20101
Tetcott Spawning Bed 219 Sept 200525 Sept 20062
North Tamerton10 Aug 19909 Aug 200611
Great Moreton19 Aug 19939 Aug 20067
Boyton19 Aug 199330 Jul 20043
Bridgetown19 Aug 199313 Jul 20043
Leighwood Waterfall16 Aug 19932 Jul 20042
u/s Small Brook8 Jul 19998 Jul 19991
d/s Small Brook8 Jul 19998 Jul 19991
Crowford Bridge30 Jul 199214 Aug 19987
Bradford Manor31 Jul 19927 Aug 19988
Moreton Mill4 Jun 199317 Sept 19962
d/s North Tamerton (upper riffle)8 Jun 19935 Jun 19953
u/s Trepoyle5 Jul 19937 Sept 19932
d/s Trepoyle5 Jul 19937 Sept 19932
d/s Crowford Bridge8 Jun 19936 Sept 19932
Haydon2 Jul 19936 Sept 19932
u/s North Tamerton (lower riffle)7 Jun 19932 Sept 19932
d/s North Tamerton (lower riffle)1 Jul 19932 Sept 19932
u/s North Tamerton (upper riffle)7 Jun 19937 Jun 19931
Virworthy4 Jun 19934 Jun 19931

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

1990–2025

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 3,998 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.6 cm
Lower quarter
3.4 cm
Median
4.1 cm
Upper quarter
5.6 cm
Largest
9.9 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Main Tamar

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

Stone loach Atlantic salmon Brown / sea trout Minnow European eel Grayling

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 →