RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Swale

Largest measured bullhead: 7.9 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Swale was 7.9 cm, recorded at Skipton-on-Swale on 4 July 2016.

Across 114 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 5.2 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 Swale.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation27 July 2026Great Langton DS of midbar
Largest measured bullhead
7.9 cm
Median length
5.2 cm
Fish measured
114
Survey locations
29

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
7.9 cm4 Jul 2016Skipton-on-Swale148427
7.8 cm4 Jul 2016Skipton-on-Swale148427
7.7 cm4 Jul 2022Brafferton161094
7.6 cm2 Sept 2013Hoggarths138487
7.4 cm2 Jul 2015Maunby Demesne Upper Site145342
7.3 cm17 Jul 2019Maunby Demesne Upper Site154834
7.3 cm17 Jul 2019Skipton-on-Swale154830
7.3 cm6 Jul 2016Brafferton148425
7.1 cm17 Jul 2019Skipton-on-Swale154830
7.1 cm4 Jul 2016Skipton-on-Swale148427

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
Great Langton RH of midbar27 Jul 202627 Jul 20261
Great Langton DS of midbar27 Jul 202627 Jul 20261
Maunby - Fry Survey28 Sept 199813 Aug 202513
Skipton-on-Swale25 Jul 19967 Aug 202512
Maunby Demesne Upper Site11 Aug 200330 Jul 202514
Brafferton11 Sept 200030 Jul 202514
Myton Grange6 Aug 200324 Jul 20259
Hoggarths29 Aug 20024 Sept 202412
Morton-on-Swale15 Aug 20003 Aug 20106
Leckby24 Jul 20022 Jul 20104
Brompton-on-Swale, Thornborough Farm9 Aug 20002 Aug 20076
Langton Bridge10 Aug 200031 Jul 20075
Thornton Bridge - Fry Survey20 Sept 198429 Sept 20054
Catterick9 Aug 20029 Aug 20052
Ellerton8 Aug 20058 Aug 20051
Colburn (Broken Brae Caravan Park)8 Aug 20058 Aug 20051
Tancred Grange4 Aug 20054 Aug 20051
Swalefields4 Aug 20054 Aug 20051
Kiplin26 Jul 20024 Aug 20052
Langton Grange3 Aug 20053 Aug 20051
Catton2 Aug 20052 Aug 20051
Holme25 Jun 19961 Aug 20053
Danotty Hall1 Aug 20051 Aug 20051
Ainderby Quernhow1 Aug 20051 Aug 20051
Richmond27 Jul 200527 Jul 20051
Far Fairholme26 Jul 200526 Jul 20051
Low Whitta8 Aug 20007 Jun 20052
Topcliffe Caravan Park23 Jul 200223 Jul 20021
Fawdington23 Jul 200223 Jul 20021

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

1984–2026

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 114 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.3 cm
Lower quarter
3.9 cm
Median
5.2 cm
Upper quarter
6.2 cm
Largest
7.9 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Swale

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

Minnow Chub Stone loach Dace Grayling Barbel

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 →