3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Irwell

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 9.6 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Irwell was 9.6 cm, recorded at Iwir10 on 1 July 2004.

Across 103 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 2.3 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 Irwell.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation13 July 2011Iwir01 · 3 fish

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 9.6 cm
Median length: 2.3 cm
Fish measured: 103
Survey locations: 8

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
9.6 cm	1 Jul 2004	Iwir10	81586
8 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir01	81719
7.4 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir01	81719
7.1 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir01	81719
7 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir01	81719
6.9 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir01	81719
6.7 cm	7 Jul 2003	Iwir20	76330
6.4 cm	7 Jul 2003	Iwir20	76330
6.3 cm	29 Jun 2004	Iwir07	81759
5.7 cm	1 Jul 2004	Iwir15	81590

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
Iwir01	29 Jun 2004	13 Jul 2011	2
Iwir25	6 Jun 2006	6 Jun 2006	1
Iwir20	7 Jul 2003	6 Jun 2006	4
Iwir15	1 Jul 2004	5 Jun 2006	3
Iwir10	8 Jul 2003	8 Jun 2005	3
Iwir09	29 Jun 2004	29 Jun 2004	1
Iwir07	29 Jun 2004	29 Jun 2004	1
Iwir05	22 Nov 1996	22 Nov 1996	1

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

1996–2011

Survey records by year

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

196

097

098

099

000

001

002

203

604

305

306

007

008

009

010

111

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 103 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 1 cm
Lower quarter: 2.1 cm
Median: 2.3 cm
Upper quarter: 3 cm
Largest: 9.6 cm

0–99 mm

103

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Irwell

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Minnow Stone loach Gudgeon Chub

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 →