RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Box (Main Reaches)

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 8.3 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Box (Main Reaches) was 8.3 cm, recorded at Stour Confluence on 23 May 2016.

Across 460 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 4.3 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 Box (Main Reaches).

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation22 May 2026Stour Confluence · 2 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
8.3 cm
Median length
4.3 cm
Fish measured
460
Survey locations
7

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
8.3 cm23 May 2016Stour Confluence148908
7 cm11 Jun 2024Polstead Mill165732
7 cm7 Jun 2024Stone Street165735
6.8 cm11 Jun 2024Polstead Mill165732
6.8 cm3 May 2018Stone Street154286
6.3 cm3 May 2018Stone Street154286
6.2 cm11 Jun 2024Polstead Mill165732
6.2 cm8 May 2012Stone Street131506
6.1 cm5 May 2015Peyton Hall Farm144662
6.1 cm23 Apr 2014Stour Confluence140716

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
Stour Confluence12 Apr 200022 May 202612
Scotland Street7 May 199721 May 202612
Polstead Mill9 May 199711 Jun 20246
Stone Street18 Apr 19917 Jun 20247
Peyton Hall Farm9 May 20006 Jun 20246
Thorington Mill2 May 19978 May 20247
Polstead Ford19 May 20067 May 20245

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

1991–2026

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 460 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.3 cm
Lower quarter
3.9 cm
Median
4.3 cm
Upper quarter
4.7 cm
Largest
8.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Box (Main Reaches)

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

European eel Brown / sea trout Stone loach Dace Roach 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 →