RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Stiffkey

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 9.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Stiffkey was 9.5 cm, recorded at Downstream Wighton Bridge on 30 April 2026.

Across 1,114 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 4.1 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 88 3-spined stickleback. The median was 0 oz (0.0008 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 0.1 oz (0.0025 kg).

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the River Stiffkey.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation1 May 2026Upstream Home Farm · 4 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
9.5 cm
Median length
4.1 cm
Fish measured
1,114
Survey locations
16

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
9.5 cm30 Apr 2026Downstream Wighton Bridge181613
8.8 cm16 Sept 2009Upstream Home Farm119565
7.5 cm18 May 2017Warham151501
7 cm24 Apr 2014Upstream Little Walsingham140937
6.7 cm26 Feb 1992Cockthorpe Common16870
6.4 cm4 May 2011Upstream Little Walsingham126494
6.4 cm4 May 2011Upstream Little Walsingham126494
6.4 cm24 Apr 1995Cockthorpe Common16879
6.2 cm10 May 2011East Barsham126942
6.1 cm12 Mar 2003Little Wood, Fulmodeston90795

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
Upstream Home Farm25 Feb 19921 May 202610
Downstream Wighton Bridge21 Feb 199230 Apr 202610
East Barsham11 Apr 198823 Apr 202610
Warham14 Apr 198822 Apr 202611
Upstream Little Walsingham12 Apr 198810 Apr 202611
Great Walsingham13 Apr 19888 Apr 20268
Little Wood, Fulmodeston12 Mar 200319 Feb 20143
Langham Lane, Saxlingham27 Mar 20038 Mar 20112
Langham Bridge (u/s)21 Mar 200310 Apr 20082
Sidney House Farm east tributary, Saxlingham27 Mar 200327 Mar 20031
Sidney House Farm Meadow27 Mar 200327 Mar 20031
Wrights Carr (u/s), Great Walsingham18 Mar 200318 Mar 20031
Lower Grange Farm southeast track12 Mar 200312 Mar 20031
Fulmodeston Bridge11 Mar 200312 Mar 20032
Great Snoring9 Mar 198811 Apr 20004
Cockthorpe Common26 Feb 19926 Apr 20003

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

1988–2026

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 1,114 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.2 cm
Lower quarter
3.4 cm
Median
4.1 cm
Upper quarter
4.5 cm
Largest
9.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 88 3-spined stickleback. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.0001 kg)
Lower quarter
0 oz (0.0006 kg)
Median
0 oz (0.0008 kg)
Upper quarter
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Heaviest
0.1 oz (0.0025 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Stiffkey

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead European eel Stone loach Brook lamprey Gudgeon

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 →