RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Lee

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.2 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Lee was 6.2 cm, recorded at East Hyde Downstream sewage treatment works on 22 February 1978.

Across 61 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.3 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 Lee.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation23 July 2026Amwell Loop
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.2 cm
Median length
3.3 cm
Fish measured
61
Survey locations
17

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
6.2 cm22 Feb 1978East Hyde Downstream sewage treatment works116721
5.8 cm15 Sept 2005Waterdale86595
5.2 cm22 Feb 1978East Hyde Downstream sewage treatment works116721
4.7 cm29 Sept 2004Hackney Marshes82629
4.7 cm18 Oct 2002Wheathampstead72672
4.4 cm29 Sept 2004Hackney Marshes82629
4.3 cm29 Sept 2004Hackney Marshes82629
4.3 cm22 Feb 1978East Hyde Downstream sewage treatment works116721
4.2 cm7 Sept 2004Hyde Mill82061
4.1 cm11 Oct 2005Hackney Marshes86946

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
Amwell Loop12 Apr 197823 Jul 20267
Wheathampstead18 Oct 20023 Jul 202511
Stanborough Park24 Jun 202524 Jun 20251
Hyde Mill9 Sept 200317 Jun 20253
Red Spinners Bayford18 Jul 202418 Jul 20241
Hackney Marshes29 Sept 200417 Aug 20235
Woolmers Park16 Jul 20133 Aug 20232
Waterdale31 Oct 20034 Aug 20226
Fallowfield16 Jul 201416 Sept 20212
Riddy Lane Allotments18 Jun 201918 Jun 20191
Riddy Lane Allotments18 Jun 201918 Jun 20191
Limbry Park10 May 20068 May 20142
Fishers Green6 Sept 19784 Jul 20136
Vauxhall Leisure Centre6 Jun 20066 Jun 20061
Hartham Common22 Aug 200322 Aug 20031
Water Hall Farm22 Mar 197822 Mar 19781
East Hyde Downstream sewage treatment works22 Feb 197822 Feb 19781

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

1978–2026

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 61 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.5 cm
Lower quarter
2.8 cm
Median
3.3 cm
Upper quarter
3.8 cm
Largest
6.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Lee

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

Roach Perch Gudgeon Minnow Chub Pike

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 →