RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Chelmer

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.1 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 6.1 cm, recorded at Stanbrook on 10 February 1998.

Across 309 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.5 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 Chelmer.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation1 October 2025Warners Farm · 4 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.1 cm
Median length
3.5 cm
Fish measured
309
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
6.1 cm10 Feb 1998Stanbrook13426
6.1 cm10 Feb 1998Stanbrook13426
5.9 cm31 Jan 2005Stanbrook84205
5.9 cm11 Sept 1986Churchend FGS14296
5.8 cm10 Feb 1998Stanbrook13426
5.5 cm11 Sept 2019Langleys Dunmow155844
5.5 cm11 Sept 1986Churchend FGS14296
5.5 cm11 Sept 1986Churchend FGS14296
5.4 cm10 Feb 1998Stanbrook13426
5.4 cm10 Feb 1998Stanbrook13426

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
Warners Farm25 Aug 20041 Oct 20257
Camsix Farm A14 Aug 199823 Sept 20257
Upstream Croxtons16 Aug 201020 Aug 20255
Langleys Dunmow21 Aug 199819 Aug 20256
Felstead A18 Aug 19986 Oct 20166
Chelmsford Viaduct2 Sept 20162 Sept 20161
Brookend19 Jul 201619 Jul 20161
Barnes Mill12 Jul 201612 Jul 20161
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)6 Jul 20166 Jul 20161
Bowyers Bridge21 Mar 201421 Mar 20141
Little Waltham17 Aug 20046 Sept 20133
Stanbrook10 Feb 199829 Mar 20123
Littley Park12 Aug 199823 Sept 20104
Absol Bridge17 Aug 199821 Sept 20104
Springfield6 Aug 200725 Aug 20102
Langley Waltham20 Aug 201020 Aug 20101
Downstream Croxtons10 Aug 200711 Aug 20102
Duton Hill (River Chelmer)9 Feb 199818 Jan 20052
Sugar Mills21 Jun 200121 Jun 20011
Churchend FGS19 Sept 198311 Sept 19862

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

1983–2025

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 309 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.5 cm
Lower quarter
2.9 cm
Median
3.5 cm
Upper quarter
4.3 cm
Largest
6.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Chelmer

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

Chub Roach Pike Dace Gudgeon European eel

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 →