RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Sow

Largest measured bullhead: 12.2 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Sow was 12.2 cm, recorded at Sainsbury's, Stafford on 30 April 2013.

Across 229 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 6.2 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 Sow.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation2 April 2026Doxey Marshes
Largest measured bullhead
12.2 cm
Median length
6.2 cm
Fish measured
229
Survey locations
12

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
12.2 cm30 Apr 2013Sainsbury's, Stafford135923
11 cm25 Apr 2013Byanna Farm, Eccleshall136053
10.9 cm25 Apr 2013Byanna Farm, Eccleshall136053
10.8 cm25 Apr 2013Byanna Farm, Eccleshall136053
10.6 cm25 Apr 2013Byanna Farm, Eccleshall136053
10.5 cm30 Apr 2013Upstream St Thomas Mill135925
9.5 cm30 Apr 2013Upstream St Thomas Mill135925
9.5 cm25 Apr 2013Byanna Farm, Eccleshall136053
9.4 cm30 Apr 2013Upstream St Thomas Mill135925
9.4 cm25 Apr 2013Byanna Farm, Eccleshall136053

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
Doxey Marshes6 Nov 19912 Apr 20262
Great Bridgeford3 Jul 19904 Jul 202310
Sainsbury's, Stafford8 Nov 199410 Jul 20188
Upstream St Thomas Mill24 Nov 199112 Jun 20188
Byanna Farm, Eccleshall7 Jun 19944 Jun 20158
Creswell Farm3 Jul 199019 Jul 20138
Sea Cadets, Riverway, Stafford15 Oct 199117 May 20064
Hillcote Hall2 Jul 199118 Apr 20064
Chebsey22 Jun 198818 Apr 20068
M6 Bridge8 Nov 199412 Apr 20063
Shugborough13 May 200413 May 20041
Broadeye Stafford16 Oct 199116 Oct 19911

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

1988–2026

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 229 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.9 cm
Lower quarter
4.9 cm
Median
6.2 cm
Upper quarter
7.5 cm
Largest
12.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Sow

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

Perch Chub Pike Gudgeon Roach Stone loach

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 →