RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Colne

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 7.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Colne was 7.5 cm, recorded at Brook Street Farm on 6 June 2014.

Across 1,016 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 4.2 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 observation16 June 2026Blue Bridge · 18 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
7.5 cm
Median length
4.2 cm
Fish measured
1,016
Survey locations
26

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
7.5 cm6 Jun 2014Brook Street Farm141592
7.1 cm18 May 2005Wakes Colne Viaduct86307
6.8 cm11 Jun 2014Maplestead Mill142351
6.7 cm27 May 2014Earls Colne FGS141154
6.7 cm14 May 2014Chalkney Mill141104
6.7 cm30 Jun 2011Fordstreet126785
6.6 cm9 Jun 2014Nunnery Bridge141158
6.5 cm13 Jun 2023Nunnery Bridge162724
6.2 cm9 Jun 2014Nunnery Bridge141158
6.2 cm27 May 2014Earls Colne FGS141154

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
Blue Bridge13 Jun 201416 Jun 20264
Nunnery Bridge25 Sept 198711 Jun 20266
Brook Street Farm6 Jun 201410 Jun 20264
Box Mill1 Sept 19873 Jun 20265
Wakes Colne Viaduct18 May 20052 Jun 202610
Fordstreet30 Jun 201114 May 20265
Spring Lane6 May 20057 May 20267
Earls Colne FGS2 May 20036 May 20269
Cooks Mill9 May 200528 Apr 20267
Downstream New Bridge11 May 20058 Jun 20235
Broom House20 May 20057 Jun 20234
Chalkney Mill14 May 20142 Jun 20232
Upstream Gt Yeldham6 Mar 20196 Mar 20191
The Hedinghams15 Jun 201128 Jun 20173
Cricket Ground6 May 200822 May 20174
Maplestead Mill8 Jun 201111 Jun 20142
North Bridge29 Apr 201429 Apr 20141
Lexden FGS Upstream (Silver eel)1 Dec 20116 Jan 20123
Upstream A12 Bridge (Silver eel)1 Dec 20115 Jan 20123
Swanscombe Farm27 May 200518 Jun 20082
Fiddlers Mill17 May 20052 Jun 20082
Upstream A12 Bridge16 May 200513 May 20082
Bathing Pool5 May 20059 May 20082
Halstead24 Sept 19877 Jun 20052
Earls Colne Mill3 Jun 20053 Jun 20051
Elms Hall2 Jun 20052 Jun 20051

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

1987–2026

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 1,016 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.6 cm
Lower quarter
3.8 cm
Median
4.2 cm
Upper quarter
4.6 cm
Largest
7.5 cm

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.

Roach European eel Gudgeon Dace Pike Perch

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 →