RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Rother

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 7.1 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Rother was 7.1 cm, recorded at River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane on 19 September 2011.

Across 732 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.2 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 Rother.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation19 August 2025McGregors Pond
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
7.1 cm
Median length
3.2 cm
Fish measured
732
Survey locations
15

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
7.1 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
7 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
6.8 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
6.5 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
6.4 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
6.4 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
6.2 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
6.2 cm29 Jul 2011Whitting confluence128934
6.1 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749
6.1 cm19 Sept 2011River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane128749

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
McGregors Pond5 Sept 200619 Aug 20257
Whitting confluence20 Oct 199829 Jul 20259
Downstream Orgreave weir28 Aug 201928 Aug 20191
.Rother Valley Country Park, d/s weir17 Oct 19952 Jul 20129
River Rother at Hepthorpe Lane24 Sept 200519 Sept 20112
Staveley Lane (B6053)28 Jul 199722 Jun 20114
Ickles13 Jul 200613 Jul 20061
Woodhouse - Fry Survey19 Sept 199724 Sept 20036
River Rother at Birdholme Road Bridge19 Jun 200219 Jun 20021
Hall Lane21 Oct 199821 Oct 19981
Catcliffe30 Oct 199620 Oct 19982
River Rother at Holbrook [B6058]29 Oct 199629 Oct 19961
River Rother at North Wingfield15 Jan 198524 Nov 19882
River Rother at Chesterfield [B6050]17 Jan 198517 Jan 19851
River Rother at Brimington17 Jan 198517 Jan 19851

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

1985–2025

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 732 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.4 cm
Lower quarter
2.8 cm
Median
3.2 cm
Upper quarter
3.7 cm
Largest
7.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Rother

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

Roach Chub Brown / sea trout Gudgeon Perch Bullhead

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 →