RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Otter Sites

Largest measured bullhead: 9.2 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Otter Sites was 9.2 cm, recorded at Monkton (Sp) on 14 June 2016.

Across 433 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 5.3 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 Otter Sites.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation18 July 2025Tipton St John playing field (WFD) · 211 fish
Largest measured bullhead
9.2 cm
Median length
5.3 cm
Fish measured
433
Survey locations
9

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
9.2 cm14 Jun 2016Monkton (Sp)148245
8.7 cm14 Jun 2016Monkton (Sp)148245
8.6 cm6 Jul 2016Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)148373
8.5 cm6 Jul 2016Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)148373
8.5 cm6 Jul 2016Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)148373
8.2 cm6 Jul 2016Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)148373
8.2 cm6 Jul 2016Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)148373
8.2 cm6 Jul 2016Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)148373
7.8 cm6 Jul 2016Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)148373
7.8 cm14 Jun 2016Royston (Sp)148243

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
Tipton St John playing field (WFD)22 Jul 201118 Jul 20254
Twistgates (Te) (Sweetlands Farm)10 Sept 199825 Jun 202521
Monkton (Sp)18 Sept 199815 Jun 20235
Royston (Sp)27 May 20038 Jun 20234
Upstream Colhayes Bridge (Dip)6 Oct 19987 Jun 20236
Otterton Bridge (Dip/WFD)29 Sept 199829 Jul 20217
Tipton St John (Dip)*19 Jul 20054 Oct 20062
Upstream Cadhay (Dip)*9 Oct 199827 May 20032
Knackers Hole Bridge (Sp)*7 Sept 19987 Sept 19981

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

1998–2025

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 433 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.9 cm
Lower quarter
4.3 cm
Median
5.3 cm
Upper quarter
6 cm
Largest
9.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Otter Sites

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

Brown / sea trout European eel Stone loach Minnow 3-spined stickleback 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 →