RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Don

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 7.8 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Don was 7.8 cm, recorded at Calfclose Burn at Hedworth on 22 September 2016.

Across 184 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 4.3 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 Don.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation11 August 2023River Don at Newtown Park
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
7.8 cm
Median length
4.3 cm
Fish measured
184
Survey locations
11

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
7.8 cm22 Sept 2016Calfclose Burn at Hedworth149357
7.5 cm22 Sept 2016River Don d/s of A194149374
7.3 cm22 Sept 2016Calfclose Burn at Hedworth149357
6.9 cm22 Sept 2016Calfclose Burn at Hedworth149357
6.8 cm22 Sept 2016Calfclose Burn at Hedworth149357
6.8 cm11 Sept 2016River Don at The Dene, Hedworth149267
6.6 cm22 Sept 2016Monkton Burn at Primrose149376
6.6 cm22 Sept 2016Calfclose Burn at Hedworth149357
6.6 cm22 Sept 2016Calfclose Burn at Hedworth149357
6.5 cm22 Sept 2016Calfclose Burn at Hedworth149357

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
River Don at The Dene, Hedworth11 Sept 201611 Aug 20232
River Don at Newtown Park11 Sept 201611 Aug 20232
River Don d/s of A19422 Sept 201622 Sept 20161
River Don at East House Farm22 Sept 201622 Sept 20161
Monkton Burn at Primrose22 Sept 201622 Sept 20161
Calfclose Burn at Hedworth22 Sept 201622 Sept 20161
River Don at Newton Garths11 Sept 201611 Sept 20161
River Don at Boldon North bridge (d/s)11 Sept 201611 Sept 20161
River Don at New Town (West Boldon)10 Sept 201610 Sept 20161
River Don at Hylton Grove Farm10 Sept 201610 Sept 20161
North Moor Farm10 Sept 201610 Sept 20161

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

2016–2023

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 184 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.1 cm
Lower quarter
3.6 cm
Median
4.3 cm
Upper quarter
5.4 cm
Largest
7.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Don

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

European eel Brown / sea trout Dace

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 →