RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Stour

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 7.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Stour was 7.5 cm, recorded at Lamarsh FGS A on 22 July 2013.

Across 608 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 Stour.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation14 July 2026Tendring Hall · 10 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
7.5 cm
Median length
3.2 cm
Fish measured
608
Survey locations
37

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
7.5 cm22 Jul 2013Lamarsh FGS A138854
6.8 cm18 Jun 2003Dedham (Old) River76663
6.6 cm18 Jun 2003Dedham (Old) River76663
6.4 cm18 Sept 1997Great Bradley (headwater)13714
6.3 cm28 Jul 2015Bower Hall146711
6.3 cm25 Sept 1980Little Thurlow77464
5.8 cm25 Sept 1980Little Thurlow77464
5.8 cm25 Sept 1980Little Thurlow77464
5.7 cm4 Aug 2015Rats Castle146715
5.4 cm25 Sept 1980Little Thurlow77464

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
Tendring Hall7 Jul 200914 Jul 202613
Pitmire A31 Aug 201229 Jul 20258
Baythorne End20 Sept 20188 Oct 20242
Rats Castle11 Sept 200323 Sept 20246
Wixoe Pumping Station15 Sept 200627 Aug 20244
Wiston Mill21 Jul 199717 Jul 20245
Lamarsh FGS A22 Jul 201317 Sept 20223
Higham Hall10 Jul 200023 Aug 202212
Wormingford Mill1 Aug 20066 Nov 20215
Mill Meadow16 Jul 200129 Sept 20215
Fen Bridge25 Jun 200926 Sept 20197
Downstream Dedham Mill29 Jun 200929 Jun 20183
Anchor Bridge18 Sept 20123 Aug 20176
Wissington13 Jul 20102 Aug 20165
Boxted Mill29 Aug 201227 Jul 20163
Pentlow Mill27 Aug 199711 Aug 20154
Bower Hall31 Aug 200028 Jul 20154
Flatford Mill24 Jul 20121 Jul 20152
Stratford1 Jul 200922 Jun 20153
Liston Mill22 Aug 20035 Sept 20122
Bush Boake Allen4 Sept 20124 Sept 20121
Upstream Dedham Mill20 Jul 201220 Jul 20121
Langham Intake3 Aug 20103 Aug 20101
Little Wratting10 Oct 19858 Sept 20092
Wick Farm3 Jul 20093 Jul 20091
Brantham Lock22 Jun 200922 Jun 20091
Great Bradley (headwater)18 Sept 199717 Oct 20064
Pentlow Street29 Aug 20037 Sept 20062
Glemsford Pits22 Aug 200622 Aug 20061
Bures Mill21 Aug 200621 Aug 20061
Mill Green Radial Gate24 Sept 200324 Sept 20031
Dedham (Old) River7 Jul 199718 Jun 20033
Little Thurlow25 Sept 198013 Oct 20003
Kedington FGS3 Oct 20003 Oct 20001
Stoke By Clare25 Sept 200025 Sept 20001
Kedington Radial Gate15 Oct 198515 Oct 19851
Great Thurlow25 Sept 198025 Sept 19801

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

1980–2026

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 608 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.5 cm
Lower quarter
2.8 cm
Median
3.2 cm
Upper quarter
3.8 cm
Largest
7.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Stour

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

Roach European eel Perch Pike Chub Dace

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 →