Direct individual measurements
Largest 10-spined stickleback by waterway
Ranked by the largest individual measured in EA surveys. The sample size shows how many valid length measurements underpin each waterway's figures.
| Rank | River or waterway | Largest | Median | Measured | Measured at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | River WithamAnglian | 9.8 cm (3.9 in) | 9.8 cm (3.9 in) | 1 | 24 Oct 2008Sleeper Bridge (Witham) |
| 2 | River Till TribsAnglian | 9.6 cm (3.8 in) | 4 cm (1.6 in) | 26 | 16 Nov 1995Kexby Grange |
| 3 | River TiffeyAnglian | 9.3 cm (3.7 in) | 3 cm (1.2 in) | 34 | 1 Aug 2023Upstream Kimberley Park |
| 4 | River Billinghay SkirthAnglian | 7.6 cm (3 in) | 5.8 cm (2.3 in) | 14 | 10 Sept 1998Outfall To Witham (Billinghay) |
| 5 | Holland Brook (Headwaters)Anglian | 6.8 cm (2.7 in) | 4.9 cm (1.9 in) | 25 | 7 Feb 2007A120 Road Bridge |
| 6 | Streams to HumberYorkshire and North East | 6.8 cm (2.7 in) | 4.3 cm (1.7 in) | 19 | 9 Sept 2008Pool Beck |
| 7 | River Hickling BroadAnglian | 6.8 cm (2.7 in) | 2.6 cm (1 in) | 8 | 24 Jul 199869 |
| 8 | River DarentSouth East | 6.7 cm (2.6 in) | 5.1 cm (2 in) | 26 | 11 May 2004Westerham |
| 9 | Wensum Tribs and HWsAnglian | 6.5 cm (2.6 in) | 4.5 cm (1.8 in) | 59 | 9 Jan 2013Whissonsett , Clay Lane |
| 10 | River MimramSouth East | 6.5 cm (2.6 in) | 4.3 cm (1.7 in) | 17 | 28 Feb 2007Codicote restoration middle fixed effort |
Equal maximum lengths are ordered by sample size. Measurements are shown as recorded and are not converted into estimated weights.
3,002 fish measured
Measured 10-spined stickleback lengths
The median divides the measured sample in half. This distribution describes surveyed fish, not every 10-spined stickleback living in England.
Only positive individual lengths that pass RiverFish's general measurement checks are included. Each bar covers a 20 mm range.
Latest EA evidence
Latest 10-spined stickleback observations
The ten most recent survey visits that recorded 10-spined stickleback in named waterways.
| Date | River or waterway | Survey location | Fish recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jun 2026 | River Colne | Blue Bridge | 1 |
| 21 Apr 2026 | River Deben (Main Reaches) | Upstream Cretingham | 6 |
| 16 Apr 2026 | River Colne | Colney Heath | 4 |
| 2 Apr 2026 | River Tas | Tasburgh Mill Farm | 1 |
| 29 Oct 2025 | Great Breach Dyke | Great Breach Site 1 | 1 |
| 25 Sept 2025 | River Anker | Amington Hall - Netting | 2 |
| 19 Sept 2025 | River Deben (Main Reaches) | White Womans Lane Fry Survey | 2 |
| 18 Sept 2025 | River Deben (Main Reaches) | Crettingham Fry Survey | 10 |
| 18 Sept 2025 | River Thame | D/s Bear Brook | Not supplied |
| 28 May 2025 | Ramsey River | Parkeston | 1 |
A survey record confirms 10-spined stickleback at that place and time. It does not show present-day abundance or fishing access.
845 positive survey visits
Survey distribution
EA surveys recorded 10-spined stickleback at 566 locations across 297 named waterways represented on RiverFish.
| Region | Waterways | Locations | Survey visits | Latest record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anglian | 172 | 364 | 551 | 16 Jun 2026 |
| South East | 46 | 87 | 120 | 16 Apr 2026 |
| Midlands | 38 | 55 | 75 | 25 Sept 2025 |
| Yorkshire and North East | 23 | 39 | 77 | 14 Aug 2023 |
| South West | 13 | 16 | 17 | 26 May 2016 |
| North West | 5 | 5 | 5 | 13 Aug 2014 |
75 detailed pages
10-spined stickleback by river
Open any river-specific page for its measured lengths, largest surveyed individuals, locations and observation history.
Anglian 57 pages
Midlands 5 pages
South East 7 pages
How to read this page
Survey measurements, not angling records
Environment Agency surveys are designed to monitor fish populations. Their largest measurement is not equivalent to a verified rod-and-line record, and the survey sample does not include every river or every 10-spined stickleback.
Waterway groups with administrative or mixed-river labels are excluded from the headline national totals and rankings. Their eligible river-specific pages remain available in the directory so no published destination is hidden.
The fish records use the Environment Agency source snapshot dated 10 August 2026.
How RiverFish handles the data →