RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Swale tributaries

Largest measured bullhead: 10.9 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Swale tributaries was 10.9 cm, recorded at Oxnop Beck u/s A684 on 1 August 2011.

Across 170 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 6.6 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 Swale tributaries.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation4 September 2024Gunnerside Gill at Gunnerside
Largest measured bullhead
10.9 cm
Median length
6.6 cm
Fish measured
170
Survey locations
10

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
10.9 cm1 Aug 2011Oxnop Beck u/s A684128531
10.6 cm1 Aug 2011Oxnop Beck u/s A684128531
10.4 cm14 Aug 2012Oxnop Beck u/s A684133138
10.3 cm22 Sept 2014Oxnop Beck u/s A684142944
10 cm2 Sept 2013Oxnop Beck u/s A684138485
9.9 cm9 Aug 2016Brough / Scotton Beck148878
9.8 cm1 Aug 2011Oxnop Beck u/s A684128531
9.7 cm2 Sept 2013Gunnerside Gill at Gunnerside138476
9.6 cm14 Aug 2012Oxnop Beck u/s A684133138
9.6 cm14 Aug 2012Gunnerside Gill at Gunnerside133124

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
Oxnop Beck u/s A68429 Aug 20024 Sept 202415
Gunnerside Gill at Gunnerside3 Sept 20024 Sept 202414
Colburn Beck at Hipswell2 Jun 200528 Sept 20224
Clapgate Gill nr Park Top14 Jun 201028 Sept 20223
Healam Beck14 Sept 201614 Sept 20161
Cundall Beck25 Aug 201625 Aug 20161
Birdforth / Green's Beck25 Aug 201625 Aug 20161
The Stell / Rawcar Beck Church Bridge24 Aug 201624 Aug 20161
Brough / Scotton Beck9 Aug 20169 Aug 20161
Grinton Gill at Grinton1 Jun 20054 Aug 20163

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

2002–2024

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 170 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2 cm
Lower quarter
5 cm
Median
6.6 cm
Upper quarter
8.2 cm
Largest
10.9 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Swale tributaries

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

Brown / sea trout Minnow Stone loach 3-spined stickleback Chub

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 →