RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Wensum (Restoration strategy)

Largest measured bullhead: 10.5 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (Restoration strategy) was 10.5 cm, recorded at Upstream County School (reach 19) on 21 September 2009.

Across 401 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 Wensum (Restoration strategy).

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation1 May 2025Upstream Dunton Bridge · 18 fish
Largest measured bullhead
10.5 cm
Median length
6.6 cm
Fish measured
401
Survey locations
16

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
10.5 cm21 Sept 2009Upstream County School (reach 19)119039
10 cm22 Jul 2014Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)142750
10 cm22 Jul 2014Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)142750
10 cm26 Jul 2013Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)137482
10 cm1 Sept 2011Gt. Ryburgh Common, New loop (Reach24)128076
9.9 cm22 Jul 2014Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)142750
9.9 cm22 Jul 2014Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)142750
9.8 cm22 Jul 2014Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)142750
9.8 cm1 Sept 2011Gt. Ryburgh Common, New loop (Reach24)128076
9.8 cm8 Oct 2010Upstream County School (reach 19)124399

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
Upstream Dunton Bridge12 Apr 20161 May 20255
Upstream Attlebridge30 Aug 202430 Aug 20241
Swanton Morley (Restoration Reach 14)28 Aug 202428 Aug 20241
Three Bridges Farm, Lyng22 Aug 202422 Aug 20241
Downstream Porters Lane, Lenwade14 Aug 202414 Aug 20241
Hempton Moor (Upstream Fakenham bypass) (reach 27)5 Sept 20158 Jul 20192
Upstream County School (reach 19)21 Sept 20095 Jul 20194
Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)26 Jul 201322 Jul 20142
Gt. Ryburgh Common, New loop (Reach24)1 Sept 201122 Jul 20132
Gt Ryburgh End - Downstream confluence to iron bridge23 Sept 201121 Sept 20122
Gt Ryburgh End - New Channel Downstream6 Sept 20126 Sept 20121
Gt Ryburgh End - New channel Upstream5 Sept 20125 Sept 20121
Gt Ryburgh End - Back Channel (Habitat survey)20 Sept 201120 Sept 20111
Gt Ryburgh Common upstream18 Aug 20105 Sept 20112
Gt Ryburgh Common d/s meander18 Aug 20105 Sept 20112
Sayers Meadow30 Jul 199730 Jul 19971

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

1997–2025

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 401 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.8 cm
Lower quarter
5.3 cm
Median
6.6 cm
Upper quarter
7.7 cm
Largest
10.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wensum (Restoration strategy)

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

Minnow Dace Stone loach Gudgeon 3-spined stickleback Pike

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 →