RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Chess

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 5.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chess was 5.5 cm, recorded at Little Chess Restore Hope on 6 March 2019.

Across 55 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.6 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 Chess.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation7 October 2025Mountwood Ford
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
5.5 cm
Median length
3.6 cm
Fish measured
55
Survey locations
12

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
5.5 cm6 Mar 2019Little Chess Restore Hope154364
5.5 cm18 May 2004Mountwood Ford81252
5 cm18 May 2004Mountwood Ford81252
4.7 cm6 Mar 2019Little Chess Restore Hope154364
4.6 cm6 Mar 2019Little Chess Restore Hope154364
4.6 cm5 May 2005Scotsbridge Mill84778
4.5 cm6 Mar 2019Little Chess Restore Hope154364
4.5 cm5 May 2005Scotsbridge Mill84778
4.5 cm5 May 2005Scotsbridge Mill84778
4.5 cm11 May 2004Scotsbridge Mill81246

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
Mountwood Ford18 May 20047 Oct 202512
Little Chess Restore Hope6 Mar 20196 Oct 20253
Large Chess Restore Hope6 Mar 20196 Oct 20253
Solesbridge nursery26 Sept 20231 Oct 20242
Scotsbridge Mill9 Jul 200310 May 20235
Latimer Water Meadows7 Mar 20197 Mar 20191
Sarratt Mill Bypass Channel16 May 201316 May 20131
Chenies Bottom Bypass Channel16 May 201316 May 20131
Bois Mill23 Oct 201223 Oct 20121
Sarratt Bottom7 Jul 20067 Jul 20061
Water Cress beds/Chenies6 Jul 20066 Jul 20061
Latimer4 Jul 20064 Jul 20061

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

2003–2025

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 55 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2 cm
Lower quarter
2.7 cm
Median
3.6 cm
Upper quarter
4.4 cm
Largest
5.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Chess

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Stone loach Minnow Grayling Atlantic salmon

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 →