RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Calder

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.2 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Calder was 6.2 cm, recorded at Elland - Fry Survey on 30 September 1998.

Across 1,432 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.3 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 Calder.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation2 October 2025Lydgate
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.2 cm
Median length
3.3 cm
Fish measured
1,432
Survey locations
16

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
6.2 cm30 Sept 1998Elland - Fry Survey130730
6.1 cm19 Jun 2015Cornmill Weir145163
5.9 cm20 Sept 2000Anchor Pits - Fry Survey130570
5.9 cm18 Sept 1996Elland - Fry Survey130728
5.8 cm18 Sept 1996Elland - Fry Survey130728
5.5 cm22 Aug 2003Lydgate78659
5.4 cm7 Jul 2006Smalley Bight101591
5.4 cm18 Sept 1996Elland - Fry Survey130728
5.3 cm21 Aug 2012Brighouse - Fry Survey134189
5.3 cm18 Sept 1996Elland - Fry Survey130728

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
Lydgate22 Aug 20032 Oct 20252
Dewsbury Fry Survey22 Aug 201714 Aug 20256
Hebden Bridge Train Station15 Oct 202115 Oct 20211
Hebble End (Co-op Car Park)15 Oct 202115 Oct 20211
Brighouse - Fry Survey11 Sept 201016 Aug 20166
Cornmill Weir12 Jul 199919 Jun 20154
Chantry Bridge10 Jul 20024 Jul 20123
Burnley Road14 Oct 201014 Oct 20101
Smalley Bight22 Jul 19997 Jul 20062
Dewsbury (end of flood relief channel)26 Jul 200526 Jul 20051
Elland power Station d/s22 Jul 200425 Jul 20052
Brighouse Industrial Estate9 Jul 200225 Jul 20053
Anchor Pits - Fry Survey22 Sept 199926 Sept 20024
Mitchell Laithes STW16 Jul 199916 Jul 19991
Todmorden Bus Station23 Jun 199923 Jun 19991
Elland - Fry Survey21 Sept 198430 Sept 199814

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

1984–2025

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 1,432 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.2 cm
Lower quarter
2.8 cm
Median
3.3 cm
Upper quarter
3.7 cm
Largest
6.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Calder

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

Brown / sea trout Stone loach Bullhead Gudgeon Chub Roach

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 →