RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the Main river sites

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 4.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Main river sites was 4.5 cm, recorded at S2 Upstream Eccliffe on 14 June 2016.

Across 4 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 Main river sites.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation19 September 2024Throop d/s Glens Weir · 1 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
4.5 cm
Median length
3.7 cm
Fish measured
4
Survey locations
20

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.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
4.5 cm14 Jun 2016S2 Upstream Eccliffe148352
3.9 cm14 Jun 2016S2 Upstream Eccliffe148352
3.5 cm7 Jun 2011S2 Upstream Eccliffe126487
3.1 cm14 Jun 2016S1 Gillingham148351

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 surveyedFirst recordedLast recordedVisits finding 3-spined stickleback
Throop d/s Glens Weir19 Sept 202419 Sept 20241
Cowgrove Weir20 Sept 202219 Sept 20243
Crawford Bridge16 Sept 202118 Sept 20242
Muscliffe- Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre21 Sept 202219 Sept 20232
Sturminster Marshall Island16 Sept 201918 Sept 20232
Keyneston Mill18 Sept 202318 Sept 20231
Court Farm16 Sept 201918 Sept 20232
Charlton Marshall Island15 Sept 202315 Sept 20231
S1 Gillingham4 Jun 20108 Jun 20238
Longham Bridge23 Aug 201821 Sept 20223
d/s Blandford Weir20 Sept 202220 Sept 20221
Stour at Millmore Farm1 Aug 20191 Aug 20191
Blandford - Stour Meadow31 Jul 201931 Jul 20191
S5 Strangeways23 May 201923 May 20191
Canford Mill Stream31 May 201230 May 20182
S1R Fiddleford to Child Okeford23 May 201723 May 20171
S2 Upstream Eccliffe8 Aug 200214 Jun 20165
The Ship Inn2 Jun 200524 Aug 20102
S3 Riversdale Farm15 Jul 200415 Jul 20041
S5R Iford Bridge to Hengistbury Head13 May 200413 May 20041

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

2002–2024

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 4 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.1 cm
Lower quarter
3.4 cm
Median
3.7 cm
Upper quarter
4.1 cm
Largest
4.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Main river sites

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

Minnow Bullhead European eel Dace Stone loach Chub

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 →