RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Wensum (upper)

Largest measured bullhead: 11.2 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (upper) was 11.2 cm, recorded at Upstream Sculthorpe Mill on 27 October 2005.

Across 2,092 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 6.3 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 75 bullhead. The median was 0.1 oz (0.003 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 2 oz (0.056 kg).

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 (upper).

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation2 September 2025Upstream Fakenham Mill · 9 fish
Largest measured bullhead
11.2 cm
Median length
6.3 cm
Fish measured
2,092
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
11.2 cm27 Oct 2005Upstream Sculthorpe Mill88366
11 cm14 Oct 2009Fakenham Common119378
10.9 cm2 Mar 2023Tatterford Common162515
10.9 cm12 Sept 2012Upstream Fakenham Mill133558
10.8 cm21 May 2003Tatterford Common76160
10.7 cm6 Aug 2013Upstream Fakenham Mill137745
10.7 cm11 Sept 2003Fakenham Common77264
10.6 cm29 Apr 2022South Mill Farm160996
10.5 cm12 Sept 2012Upstream Fakenham Mill133558
10.5 cm14 Oct 2009Fakenham Common119378

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 Fakenham Mill19 Mar 19862 Sept 202517
South Mill Farm26 Apr 199025 Apr 202512
Tatterford Common3 Mar 198622 Apr 202513
Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge27 Feb 198615 Apr 202510
Hellhoughton Common6 Mar 198610 Apr 202517
Upstream Sculthorpe Mill11 Mar 19863 May 202412
Fakenham Common2 Jul 199014 Jun 20189
Downstream Doughton Bridge4 Mar 19863 Apr 19973
Upstream Raynham Bridge5 Mar 198626 Mar 19973
Sculthorpe Moor18 Mar 198618 Mar 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 2,092 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.3 cm
Lower quarter
5.3 cm
Median
6.3 cm
Upper quarter
7.4 cm
Largest
11.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 75 bullhead. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
0.1 oz (0.002 kg)
Median
0.1 oz (0.003 kg)
Upper quarter
0.2 oz (0.006 kg)
Heaviest
2 oz (0.056 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wensum (upper)

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

Brown / sea trout Stone loach European eel 3-spined stickleback Brook lamprey 10-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 →