RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Don

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.3 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Don was 6.3 cm, recorded at Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/001 on 7 July 2017.

Across 698 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 Don.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation12 August 2025Kilnhurst - Fry Survey · 5 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.3 cm
Median length
3.5 cm
Fish measured
698
Survey locations
40

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
6.3 cm7 Jul 2017Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/001150869
6.3 cm24 Jun 2005Marsh Street P/S, Rotherham84897
6 cm5 Jul 2005Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/00184978
5.5 cm5 Jul 2005Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/00184978
5.5 cm5 Jul 2005Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/00184978
5.4 cm7 Jul 2017Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/001150869
5.2 cm14 Jul 2016Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/001148534
5.2 cm22 Aug 2005Livesey Street - Owlerton, Sheffield86379
5.2 cm30 Jun 2005Kilnhurst Bridge87837
5.2 cm24 Jun 2005Marsh Street P/S, Rotherham84897

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
Kilnhurst - Fry Survey11 Sept 201012 Aug 20256
Blackburn Meadows d/s weir DON/CO/TEMP/0017 May 19825 Aug 202520
Upstream Ewden Beck23 Aug 200525 Sept 20233
Effingham Street, sheffield26 Jul 201110 Sept 20232
Doncaster (crimpsal) DON/CO/TEMP/0031 Jun 19828 Jul 20198
Sprotborough - Fry Survey29 Sept 19976 Aug 201814
Livesey Street - Owlerton, Sheffield22 Aug 20052 Oct 20173
Cheesebottom STW2 Sept 198128 Sept 20172
Bull House Bridge13 Nov 19974 Sept 20173
Thorpe Marsh (Tidal)30 Jun 201116 Aug 20172
Beeley Wood, d/s weir24 Sept 198116 Sept 20115
Nursery Street, Sheffield30 Jul 201130 Jul 20111
Below Sprotborough Weir DON/CO/TEMP/00221 May 198228 Jul 201111
Kilnhurst Bridge20 May 198215 Jul 20114
Conisborough26 Jul 20051 Jul 20117
Hexthorpe25 Jul 200630 Jun 20112
Kelham Island Museum26 Aug 200522 Jul 20092
Oxspring Bridge (WR)23 Aug 20048 Aug 20073
Marsh Street P/S, Rotherham10 Dec 19871 Aug 20065
Upstream Aldwarke Weir17 Oct 200517 Oct 20051
Millstone Bridge20 Aug 198125 Aug 20053
Attercliffe Road5 Aug 20055 Aug 20051
Dearne Valley Leisure Centre27 Jun 200527 Jun 20051
Penistone Cricket Club2 Sept 198113 Nov 19972
Hillsborough24 Sept 19816 Oct 19974
Borough Bridge, Sheffield24 Sept 19816 Oct 19975
Meadowhall6 May 198212 Nov 19934
Went Confluence25 Oct 199325 Oct 19931
Thurlstone2 Sept 198119 Oct 19932
Below Mexborough Power Station21 May 198228 Sept 19932
Wharncliffe Side3 Sept 198123 Sept 19932
Stocksbridge STW (old site)3 Sept 198123 Sept 19932
Thorpe Marsh PS2 Jun 198231 Aug 19932
Stainforth23 Jul 198231 Aug 19932
Smithfield House, Sheffield6 May 198214 Nov 19903
Wortley2 Sept 198113 Nov 19904
Stocksbridge STW US7 Jan 19868 Oct 19872
Below Aldwarke Weir20 May 198220 May 19821
Rotherham Road Bridge7 May 19827 May 19821
British Tissues3 Sept 19813 Sept 19811

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

1981–2025

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 698 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.5 cm
Lower quarter
3 cm
Median
3.5 cm
Upper quarter
3.9 cm
Largest
6.3 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.

Brown / sea trout Gudgeon Roach Minnow Perch 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 →