RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Wensum (central)

Largest measured bullhead: 11 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (central) was 11 cm, recorded at Upstream Gt Ryburgh on 28 September 2009.

Across 1,442 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 Wensum (central).

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation10 September 2025Swanton Morley · 7 fish
Largest measured bullhead
11 cm
Median length
6.2 cm
Fish measured
1,442
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
11 cm28 Sept 2009Upstream Gt Ryburgh119201
10.8 cm7 Aug 2002Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge64640
10.5 cm7 Aug 2002Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge64640
10.5 cm9 Jun 1986Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge17214
10.5 cm9 Jun 1986Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge17214
10.4 cm29 Sept 2004Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge83682
10.2 cm29 Sept 2004Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge83682
10.2 cm28 Apr 1997Upstream Bintree Mill17327
10.1 cm29 Sept 2004Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge83682
10.1 cm29 Sept 2004Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge83682

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
Swanton Morley19 Jul 199010 Sept 202516
Hellesdon Road (Albert's)10 Oct 200315 Aug 202513
Alders Spinney15 Aug 199014 Aug 202519
Downstream Elsing Mill26 Jul 19907 Aug 202514
Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge9 Jun 19861 Aug 202525
Sparham pool, Lyng26 Sept 20136 Sept 20246
Upstream Lenwade Mill20 May 199711 Sept 20184
County School18 Jun 19864 Sept 20188
Upstream Bintree Mill28 Apr 199717 Aug 20186
Pensthorpe Hall21 Apr 19977 Aug 20186
U/s Billingford Rd Bridge7 Sept 201028 Sept 20112
Blakes Meadow3 Aug 19949 Oct 20094
Upstream Drayton Green Lane7 Jul 19978 Oct 20092
Lyng Pits15 May 19971 Oct 20093
Downstream Ringland Bridge30 Sept 200330 Sept 20092
Upstream Gt Ryburgh9 Oct 200328 Sept 20093
Downstream Guist Bridge17 Jun 198624 Sept 20093
Attlebridge Hall Farm9 Aug 199023 Sept 20096
Downstream Billingford Bridge16 Jul 19904 Sept 200910
Walcis' Hill Meadow6 Oct 20036 Oct 20031
Downstream Attlebridge Bridge7 Aug 199022 Sept 20034
Heigham Waterworks5 Aug 19975 Aug 19971
Costessey Pits14 Aug 199024 Jul 19972
Pinewood17 Jul 199717 Jul 19971
Downstream Point Costessey9 Jul 19979 Jul 19971
Swan Rescue5 Jun 19975 Jun 19971
Castle Farm7 May 19977 May 19971
Sennowe Park10 Jun 198624 Apr 19974
Walcis Farm30 Jun 198630 Jun 19861

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

1986–2025

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 1,442 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2 cm
Lower quarter
5.1 cm
Median
6.2 cm
Upper quarter
7.4 cm
Largest
11 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wensum (central)

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

Pike Dace Roach European eel Perch Gudgeon

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 →