Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Ouse Tributaries

Largest measured bullhead: 10 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Ouse Tributaries was 10 cm, recorded at Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill on 5 April 2018.

Across 263 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 5.2 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 160 bullhead. The median was 0 oz (0.001 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 0.4 oz (0.01 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 Ouse Tributaries.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation20 September 2023Shell Brook d/s Ardingly Reservoir · 3 fish

Largest measured bullhead: 10 cm
Median length: 5.2 cm
Fish measured: 263
Survey locations: 5

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured bullhead

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
10 cm	5 Apr 2018	Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	152498
9.8 cm	5 Apr 2018	Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	152498
9.6 cm	24 Aug 2021	Shell Brook d/s Ardingly Reservoir	160161
9.6 cm	5 Apr 2018	Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	152498
9.5 cm	5 Apr 2018	Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	152498
9.2 cm	24 Aug 2021	Shell Brook d/s Ardingly Reservoir	160161
9.2 cm	5 Apr 2018	Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	152498
9.1 cm	5 Apr 2018	Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	152498
9 cm	5 Apr 2018	Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	152498
8.9 cm	20 Sept 2023	Shell Brook d/s Ardingly Reservoir	163802

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding bullhead
Shell Brook d/s Ardingly Reservoir	24 Aug 2021	20 Sept 2023	2
Balcombe/Lower Lodge Gill	12 Aug 2003	5 Sept 2018	5
Upper Lower Lodge Gill	5 Apr 2018	5 Apr 2018	1
Pellingford Brook	26 Aug 2003	15 Aug 2013	2
North End	22 Aug 2003	6 Aug 2013	2

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

2003–2023

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded bullhead that year.

303

004

005

006

007

008

009

010

111

012

213

114

015

016

017

318

019

020

121

022

123

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 263 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.9 cm
Lower quarter: 4.1 cm
Median: 5.2 cm
Upper quarter: 6.7 cm
Largest: 10 cm

0–99 mm

262

100–199 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 160 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: 0.1 oz (0.002 kg)
Heaviest: 0.4 oz (0.01 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 Ouse Tributaries

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

Brown / sea trout Dace Roach Gudgeon Chub Perch

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 →