3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the Costa Beck

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 8.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Costa Beck was 8.5 cm, recorded at Costa beck at Sleightholme Fm on 20 September 2012.

Across 14 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.7 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Costa Beck.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation30 August 2023Costa Beck Upstream Pickering Beck DERBT107

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 8.5 cm
Median length: 3.7 cm
Fish measured: 14
Survey locations: 4

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
8.5 cm	20 Sept 2012	Costa beck at Sleightholme Fm	133781
5.7 cm	20 Sept 2012	Costa Beck Upstream Pickering Beck DERBT107	133782
5.6 cm	20 Sept 2012	Costa Beck Upstream Pickering Beck DERBT107	133782
5.5 cm	11 Sept 2012	Costa beck at Gatehouses	133491
5 cm	11 Sept 2012	Costa beck at Gatehouses	133491
4.2 cm	20 Sept 2012	Costa Beck Upstream Pickering Beck DERBT107	133782
3.9 cm	11 Sept 2012	Costa beck at Gatehouses	133491
3.5 cm	11 Sept 2012	Costa beck at Gatehouses	133491
3.2 cm	20 Sept 2012	Costa Beck Upstream Pickering Beck DERBT107	133782
3.2 cm	11 Sept 2012	Costa beck at Gatehouses	133491

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
Costa Beck Upstream Pickering Beck DERBT107	25 Sept 1997	30 Aug 2023	9
Costa beck at Gatehouses	11 Sept 2012	14 Aug 2019	2
Costa beck at Sleightholme Fm	20 Sept 2012	20 Sept 2012	1
Costa Beck d/s Pickering Beck	25 Sept 1997	25 Sept 1997	1

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

1997–2023

Survey records by year

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

297

098

099

100

101

102

103

104

005

006

007

008

009

010

111

312

013

014

015

016

017

018

119

020

021

022

123

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 14 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.8 cm
Lower quarter: 3.1 cm
Median: 3.7 cm
Upper quarter: 5.4 cm
Largest: 8.5 cm

0–99 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Costa Beck

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

Bullhead Brown / sea trout Rainbow trout Grayling Minnow Stone loach

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 →