3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Colne

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Colne was 6.5 cm, recorded at Wessenden Brook on 25 August 2015.

Across 29 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 Colne.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation29 August 2023Lees Mill lane

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.5 cm
Median length: 3.5 cm
Fish measured: 29
Survey locations: 5

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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
6.5 cm	25 Aug 2015	Wessenden Brook	146180
6.1 cm	25 Aug 2015	Wessenden Brook	146180
5.6 cm	7 Sept 2010	Stafford Mills	124017
4.7 cm	26 Sept 2017	Lees Mill lane	151741
4.7 cm	25 Aug 2015	Wessenden Brook	146180
4.7 cm	19 Aug 2011	Lees Mill lane	129132
4.3 cm	26 Sept 2017	Lees Mill lane	151741
4.2 cm	14 Oct 2021	Clough Lea	160463
3.8 cm	16 Sept 2019	Lees Mill lane	155465
3.8 cm	26 Sept 2017	Lees Mill lane	151741

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding 3-spined stickleback
Lees Mill lane	27 Sept 2005	29 Aug 2023	7
Clough Lea	14 Oct 2021	14 Oct 2021	1
Wessenden Brook	25 Aug 2015	25 Aug 2015	1
Stafford Mills	7 Sept 2010	25 Aug 2015	2
DS Slaithewaite Park	4 Jun 2010	4 Jun 2010	1

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

2005–2023

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded 3-spined stickleback that year.

105

006

007

008

009

310

111

012

013

014

215

016

117

018

119

020

221

022

123

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 29 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.1 cm
Lower quarter: 3 cm
Median: 3.5 cm
Upper quarter: 4.2 cm
Largest: 6.5 cm

0–99 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Colne

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

Brown / sea trout Stone loach Grayling Minnow Bullhead

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 →