RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Trent

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.2 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Trent was 6.2 cm, recorded at Boothen End on 9 May 2013.

Across 222 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.5 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 Trent.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation19 September 2025Stoke Bardolph Net
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.2 cm
Median length
3.5 cm
Fish measured
222
Survey locations
36

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
6.2 cm9 May 2013Boothen End136055
6 cm24 Jun 2014Wolseley Bridge141513
5.5 cm16 Sept 2016Downstream Park Brook149434
5.3 cm21 Sept 2011Stoke Bardolph Net128080
5 cm7 Oct 2011Muskham Bridge Net128379
4.9 cm21 Sept 2011Stoke Bardolph Net128080
4.9 cm14 Oct 2010Colwick Marina Net124498
4.7 cm14 Oct 2010Colwick Marina Net124498
4.6 cm19 Sept 2016Boothen End149505
4.6 cm21 Sept 2011Stoke Bardolph Net128080

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
Stoke Bardolph Net14 Oct 201019 Sept 20259
Sandy Point Net28 Sept 20108 Sept 20257
Kneeton Net3 Oct 20123 Oct 20232
Essex Bridge - Netting26 Oct 201726 Sept 20232
Downstream Park Brook27 Sept 19942 Aug 20236
Colwick Marina Net14 Oct 201022 Sept 20224
Staffordshire University, Stoke2 Aug 199430 May 20224
Boothen End4 Aug 199430 May 20227
North Clifton Net28 Sept 201113 Oct 20175
Aston-By-Stone14 Jul 19991 Jun 20173
Sawley Weir Net7 Oct 201128 Sept 20152
Sandy Point4 Oct 201125 Sept 20144
Weston8 Jul 199931 Jul 20142
Wolseley Bridge22 Aug 199524 Jun 20142
Muskham Bridge Net7 Oct 20117 Oct 20111
Mill Lane (Newark Dyke)29 Sept 201129 Sept 20111
Abbey Farm21 Jul 199417 May 20112
Willington12 Nov 201012 Nov 20101
High Bridge8 Nov 20108 Nov 20101
Burton - Newton Road14 May 201014 May 20101
River Trent post pollution investigation Oct 09 -15 Oct 200915 Oct 20091
Dunham Net17 Aug 20073 Sept 20082
Walton on Trent13 May 200813 May 20081
Burton - Stapenhill22 Apr 200822 Apr 20081
Overly Farm5 Sept 20075 Sept 20071
Ball Green4 Sept 20034 Sept 20031
Downstream Trentham Gardens site A28 Sept 199417 Jun 20033
Hisseys Scrap Yard18 Oct 19949 Apr 20033
Upstream Hoo Mill Weir24 Aug 199924 Aug 19991
Barlaston4 Apr 199525 May 19992
Meaford19 May 199919 May 19991
Hanford16 Mar 199916 Mar 19991
Finney Gardens10 Aug 199410 Feb 19992
Norton Green21 Jul 19949 Feb 19992
Boothen End 3rd Bend Downstream Habitat Imp.4 Jun 19974 Jun 19971
Upstream Park Brook4 Aug 19944 Aug 19941

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

1994–2025

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 222 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.9 cm
Lower quarter
3.1 cm
Median
3.5 cm
Upper quarter
4 cm
Largest
6.2 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Trent

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

Chub Roach Dace 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 →