RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Swale

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 5.7 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Swale was 5.7 cm, recorded at Maunby - Fry Survey on 12 September 2012.

Across 306 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 2.9 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 Swale.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation17 August 2023Maunby - Fry Survey · 22 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
5.7 cm
Median length
2.9 cm
Fish measured
306
Survey locations
6

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
5.7 cm12 Sept 2012Maunby - Fry Survey134206
4.7 cm19 Aug 2014Maunby - Fry Survey142733
4.6 cm4 Jul 2016Skipton-on-Swale148427
4.6 cm19 Sept 1996Maunby - Fry Survey130830
4.5 cm19 Sept 1996Maunby - Fry Survey130830
4.5 cm19 Sept 1996Maunby - Fry Survey130830
4.5 cm19 Sept 1996Maunby - Fry Survey130830
4.5 cm19 Sept 1996Maunby - Fry Survey130830
4.5 cm19 Sept 1996Maunby - Fry Survey130830
4.4 cm4 Jul 2016Skipton-on-Swale148427

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
Maunby - Fry Survey19 Sept 199617 Aug 202318
Maunby Demesne Upper Site20 Jul 201720 Jul 20171
Skipton-on-Swale4 Jul 20164 Jul 20161
Danotty Hall1 Aug 20051 Aug 20051
Thornton Bridge - Fry Survey23 Sept 198614 Sept 200411
Skipton - Fry Survey19 Sept 199619 Sept 19961

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

1986–2023

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 306 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.6 cm
Lower quarter
2.4 cm
Median
2.9 cm
Upper quarter
3.5 cm
Largest
5.7 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Swale

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

Minnow Chub Bullhead Stone loach Dace Grayling

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 →