3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the Belchamp Brook (Main Reaches)

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.9 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Belchamp Brook (Main Reaches) was 6.9 cm, recorded at Bardfield Bridge on 31 May 2006.

Across 430 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 4 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Belchamp Brook (Main Reaches).

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation29 May 2026Gas Pipe Mark · 41 fish

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.9 cm
Median length: 4 cm
Fish measured: 430
Survey locations: 3

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
6.9 cm	31 May 2006	Bardfield Bridge	90856
6.8 cm	31 May 2006	Bardfield Bridge	90856
6.6 cm	31 May 2006	Bardfield Bridge	90856
6.4 cm	13 Jun 2012	Bardfield Bridge	132367
6.4 cm	31 May 2006	Bardfield Bridge	90856
6.3 cm	13 Jun 2012	Bardfield Bridge	132367
6.2 cm	31 May 2006	Bardfield Bridge	90856
6 cm	31 May 2006	Bardfield Bridge	90856
6 cm	31 May 2006	Bardfield Bridge	90856
5.9 cm	3 Jun 2016	Gas Pipe Mark	148218

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where 3-spined stickleback were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one 3-spined stickleback 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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding 3-spined stickleback
Gas Pipe Mark	20 Feb 1985	29 May 2026	11
Brundon (Belchamp Brook)	12 Jun 2012	29 May 2024	3
Bardfield Bridge	19 May 1997	13 Jun 2012	4

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

1985–2026

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded 3-spined stickleback that year.

185

086

087

088

089

090

091

092

093

094

095

096

197

098

099

100

001

002

003

004

005

206

007

008

009

110

011

312

013

114

015

116

017

218

019

020

121

122

023

224

025

126

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 430 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2 cm
Lower quarter: 3.6 cm
Median: 4 cm
Upper quarter: 4.5 cm
Largest: 6.9 cm

0–99 mm

430

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Belchamp Brook (Main Reaches)

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

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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 →