RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Aire

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Aire was 6.5 cm, recorded at Swillington Bridge on 12 July 2005.

Across 3,328 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.1 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 Aire.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation30 June 2026Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.5 cm
Median length
3.1 cm
Fish measured
3,328
Survey locations
30

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
6.5 cm12 Jul 2005Swillington Bridge85140
6.3 cm12 Sept 2019Downstream Woodhouse Road - Site 1155945
6.2 cm12 Sept 2019Downstream Woodhouse Road - Site 1155945
6 cm19 Jul 2005Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)87553
5.6 cm12 Sept 2019Woodhouse Road - Site 3155947
5.5 cm21 Sept 1989Knostrop - Fry Survey130797
5.4 cm23 Jun 2008Castleford116191
5.4 cm12 Sept 1994Knostrop - Fry Survey130802
5.4 cm12 Sept 1994Knostrop - Fry Survey130802
5.4 cm21 Sept 1989Knostrop - Fry Survey130797

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
Hirstwood, u/s Bradford Beck15 Jul 200430 Jun 20264
Thwaite Mill fry Survey14 Aug 201320 Aug 20259
Woodhouse Road - Site 312 Sept 201912 Sept 20191
Woodhouse Road - Site 212 Sept 201912 Sept 20191
Downstream Woodhouse Road - Site 112 Sept 201912 Sept 20191
Chapel Haddelsey - Fry Survey20 Sept 20018 Aug 20198
Castleford Fry Survey14 Aug 201322 Aug 20173
Gargrave Stepping Stones14 Aug 201414 Aug 20141
Apperley Bridge1 Jul 20141 Jul 20141
Bell Busk2 Sept 20112 Sept 20111
Swillington Bridge19 Aug 199829 Jun 20114
Carleton Bridge20 Aug 199827 Jun 20115
Thwaite Weir25 Aug 19985 Jul 20102
Silsden Bridge18 Aug 199828 Jun 20106
Castleford19 Aug 199825 Jun 20097
Kirkstall (400m d/s weir)27 Aug 199823 Jun 20095
Cononley, below Snaygill STW19 Jul 200426 Jun 20083
Fairburn25 Sept 200725 Sept 20071
Chappel Haddlesey - u/s A191 Sept 19986 Jul 20064
Newlay lower weir19 Jul 200519 Jul 20051
Crossflatts18 Aug 199815 Jul 20053
Keighley (River Worth Confluence) - Fry Survey21 Sept 198425 Sept 200318
Carleton Bridge - Fry Survey24 Sept 199225 Sept 200311
Castleford (Gill Net)22 Aug 200222 Aug 20021
Knostrop - Fry Survey21 Sept 198422 Sept 199914
Beal1 Sept 19981 Sept 19981
Esholt STW26 Aug 199826 Aug 19981
Carleton Bridge Upstream20 Aug 199820 Aug 19981
Kildwick - Fry Survey24 Sept 199224 Sept 19921
Cononley - Fry Survey24 Sept 199224 Sept 19921

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

1984–2026

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 3,328 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
0.1 cm
Lower quarter
2.6 cm
Median
3.1 cm
Upper quarter
3.6 cm
Largest
6.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Aire

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

Minnow Stone loach Chub Gudgeon Bullhead Brown / sea trout

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 →