3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Sow

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 7 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Sow was 7 cm, recorded at Byanna Farm, Eccleshall on 25 April 2013.

Across 96 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 4.2 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 Sow.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation4 July 2023Great Bridgeford

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 7 cm
Median length: 4.2 cm
Fish measured: 96
Survey locations: 10

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
7 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
6.7 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
6.5 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
6.2 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
6 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
6 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
5.9 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
5.8 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
5.7 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053
5.6 cm	25 Apr 2013	Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	136053

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
Great Bridgeford	3 Jul 1991	4 Jul 2023	6
Upstream St Thomas Mill	24 Nov 1991	12 Jun 2018	7
Sainsbury's, Stafford	20 Jun 2000	9 Jun 2015	6
Byanna Farm, Eccleshall	7 Jun 1994	4 Jun 2015	8
Creswell Farm	10 Jul 1991	19 Jul 2013	7
Sea Cadets, Riverway, Stafford	15 Oct 1991	17 May 2006	3
M6 Bridge	8 Nov 1994	12 Apr 2006	2
Chebsey	3 Jul 1991	5 May 2005	5
Hillcote Hall	2 Jul 1991	7 Jun 1994	2
Eccleshall Castle	7 Jul 1991	7 Jul 1991	1

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

1991–2023

Survey records by year

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

791

092

093

794

195

096

097

098

099

200

001

202

003

504

505

506

007

008

009

010

111

012

413

014

315

016

117

218

119

020

021

022

123

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 96 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 1.5 cm
Lower quarter: 3.3 cm
Median: 4.2 cm
Upper quarter: 4.7 cm
Largest: 7 cm

0–99 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Sow

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

Perch Chub Pike Gudgeon Bullhead Roach

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 →