RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Soar

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Soar was 6.5 cm, recorded at Croft on 3 April 2012.

Across 271 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.9 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 Soar.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation23 September 2025Aylestone Meadows 2 Fry Net
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.5 cm
Median length
3.9 cm
Fish measured
271
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
6.5 cm3 Apr 2012Croft131037
6.4 cm21 Mar 2016Croft147896
5.9 cm25 Jun 2018Croft152687
5.9 cm24 Apr 2013Narborough136637
5.9 cm24 Apr 2012Blue Bank Lock131127
5.8 cm13 Apr 2011Littlethorpe126090
5.6 cm24 Apr 2013Narborough136637
5.5 cm21 Mar 2016Croft147896
5.5 cm13 Apr 2011Littlethorpe126090
5.4 cm25 Apr 2016Blue Bank Lock147956

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
Aylestone Meadows 2 Fry Net22 Aug 201723 Sept 20255
Croft22 Apr 200216 Jun 202212
Zouch Fry Net18 Aug 201622 Aug 20183
Blue Bank Lock3 May 200725 Jun 20189
Redhill Marina4 Aug 20164 Aug 20161
Watermead Park13 Apr 201110 Apr 20154
Narborough24 Apr 201324 Apr 20131
Ratcliffe on Soar10 Apr 201310 Apr 20131
Littlethorpe27 May 199213 Apr 20113
Ramsdale Farm13 May 199213 Apr 19952
Leicester Straights10 Jun 199210 Jun 19921

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

1992–2025

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 271 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.9 cm
Lower quarter
3.3 cm
Median
3.9 cm
Upper quarter
4.5 cm
Largest
6.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Soar

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

Roach Dace Chub Gudgeon Perch Minnow

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 →