RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Wear

Largest measured bullhead: 11.1 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wear was 11.1 cm, recorded at Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site on 13 August 2009.

Across 56 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 7 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 Wear.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation13 June 2025Cong Burn at Chester-Le-Street - Eel Site
Largest measured bullhead
11.1 cm
Median length
7 cm
Fish measured
56
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
11.1 cm13 Aug 2009Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site121107
10.6 cm29 Sept 2009River Browney at Holiday Park - Eel Site121099
9.6 cm29 Sept 2009River Browney at Holiday Park - Eel Site121099
9.6 cm13 Aug 2009Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site121107
9.3 cm12 Aug 2009Old Durham Beck at Shincliffe - Eel Site121120
9.1 cm29 Sept 2009River Browney at Holiday Park - Eel Site121099
9.1 cm29 Sept 2009River Browney at Holiday Park - Eel Site121099
9 cm12 Aug 2009Old Durham Beck at Shincliffe - Eel Site121120
8.6 cm13 Aug 2009Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site121107
8.5 cm29 Sept 2009River Browney at Holiday Park - Eel Site121099

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
Cong Burn at Chester-Le-Street - Eel Site3 Sept 201113 Jun 20254
Old Durham Beck at Shincliffe - Eel Site12 Aug 200912 Jun 20255
River Browney at Malton Picnic Site - Eel Site21 Sept 200911 Jun 20254
River Browney at Bear Park- Eel site20 Jun 202311 Jun 20252
River Gaunless at Auckland Castle - Eel Site13 Sept 200910 Jun 20254
Linburn Beck at Witton Castle - Eel Site11 Aug 200910 Jun 20254
Bedburn Beck at Newhall Farm - Eel Site13 Aug 20099 Jun 20254
Houselop Beck at Bradley - Eel Site11 Aug 200913 Jun 20234
Lumley Park Burn at Lumley Castle - Eel Site13 Sept 200918 Jun 20192
River Browney at Holiday Park - Eel Site29 Sept 20093 Sept 20112

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

2009–2025

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 56 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.2 cm
Lower quarter
6.1 cm
Median
7 cm
Upper quarter
8.2 cm
Largest
11.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wear

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

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

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 →