RiverFish

Bullhead · Cottus gobio

Bullhead in the River Witham

Largest measured bullhead: 14.1 cm

The largest bullhead measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Witham was 14.1 cm, recorded at Sleeper Bridge (Witham) on 6 September 1985.

Across 3,565 measured bullhead, the median measured length was 6.9 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 Witham.

See bullhead records across England →

Most recent observation13 November 2025Queen Elizabeth Park
Largest measured bullhead
14.1 cm
Median length
6.9 cm
Fish measured
3,565
Survey locations
23

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
14.1 cm6 Sept 1985Sleeper Bridge (Witham)52996
12.8 cm3 May 1988Easton Park53091
12.6 cm25 Sept 1985Barkston Bridge52994
12.5 cm8 Oct 2007Cringle Brook107222
12.1 cm28 Aug 1985A607 Road Bridge52992
11.7 cm16 Apr 2009Upstream Foston Ford117198
11.7 cm30 Sept 1985Paper Mill52990
11.6 cm22 Apr 2010Upstream Foston Ford121526
11.6 cm17 Apr 2009Upstream Beckingham Bridge117197
11.6 cm16 Apr 2009Upstream Foston Ford117198

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
Wyndom Park13 Nov 202513 Nov 20251
Queen Elizabeth Park12 Sept 198513 Nov 20256
Belton Park - DS Habitat Site12 Nov 202512 Nov 20251
Marston Bridge28 May 19975 Nov 20257
Easton Park30 Sept 19854 Nov 202519
Paper Mill30 Sept 198530 Aug 202313
Great Ponton1 Oct 198525 Aug 202313
Upstream Syston Weir26 Sept 198524 Aug 20238
Sleeper Bridge (Witham)6 Sept 198522 Aug 202318
Cringle Brook8 Oct 20077 Jun 20237
Upstream Beckingham Bridge17 Apr 20093 May 20175
Claypole Bridge8 May 20022 May 201712
Haddington Bridge27 Sept 201026 Apr 20173
Upstream Foston Ford8 May 200225 Apr 20178
Easton Lane Road Bridge d/s2 Sept 20162 Sept 20161
Upstream Paper Mill Farm15 Oct 201515 Oct 20151
Maiden Bower Wood - Grange Farm29 Aug 201429 Aug 20141
North Witham18 Jun 199124 Apr 20124
Upstream Elinors Weir23 Sept 198519 Sept 20113
Hougham Mill29 Aug 19852 Sept 20112
Tattershall Bridge (Witham)29 Sept 200829 Sept 20081
A607 Road Bridge28 Aug 198523 Apr 20046
Barkston Bridge25 Sept 19857 Mar 19882

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

1985–2025

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 3,565 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.8 cm
Lower quarter
5.5 cm
Median
6.9 cm
Upper quarter
8.2 cm
Largest
14.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Witham

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

Dace Roach Gudgeon European eel Perch 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 →