RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Blackwater

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 8.1 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Blackwater was 8.1 cm, recorded at West Mill on 8 September 2008.

Across 468 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.4 cm.

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

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation11 October 2023Braxted FGS · 1 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
8.1 cm
Median length
3.4 cm
Fish measured
468
Survey locations
19

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
8.1 cm8 Sept 2008West Mill114438
7.7 cm18 Sept 2017Kelvedon Coalyard152423
6.8 cm11 Jul 1984Hobbs Meadow14043
6.5 cm11 Jul 1984Hobbs Meadow14043
6.4 cm11 Jul 1984Hobbs Meadow14043
6.3 cm11 Oct 2010Coggeshall124405
6.2 cm6 May 1987Bradwell Bridge14069
6.1 cm5 Sept 2001Coggeshall68641
6.1 cm11 Jul 1984Hobbs Meadow14043
6 cm11 Jul 1984Hobbs Meadow14043

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
Braxted FGS22 Sept 200411 Oct 202310
Upstream Braxted Hall10 Sept 19967 Oct 20237
Greys Mill30 Sept 19994 Oct 20236
Saint Marys Road27 Sept 20053 Oct 20233
Stock Hall3 Oct 20081 Oct 20235
Blue Mills29 Sept 200428 Sept 20234
Coggeshall14 Sept 199926 Sept 202311
Kelvedon Coalyard4 Sept 200123 Sept 20234
Rye Mill16 Sept 200821 Sept 20234
Bradwell Hall21 Sept 199919 Sept 20237
Smallands Hall10 Oct 200217 Oct 20144
Ashmans Farm22 Sept 199919 Sept 20084
Feeringbury Hall28 Aug 199615 Sept 20082
West Mill15 Sept 19998 Sept 20084
Dorewards Hall9 Aug 199617 Sept 20023
Stisted FGS10 Sept 200110 Sept 20011
Hobbs Meadow11 Jul 19848 Sept 19993
Downstream Braxted Hall30 Apr 199030 Apr 19901
Bradwell Bridge6 May 19876 May 19871

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

1984–2023

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 468 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.7 cm
Lower quarter
3 cm
Median
3.4 cm
Upper quarter
3.8 cm
Largest
8.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Blackwater

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

Roach Chub Gudgeon European eel Perch Dace

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 →