RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Wansbeck

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wansbeck was 6 cm, recorded at Bothal Burn on 16 June 2011.

Across 12 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.3 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 Wansbeck.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation22 June 2026River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6 cm
Median length
3.3 cm
Fish measured
12
Survey locations
15

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 cm16 Jun 2011Bothal Burn129683
5.7 cm16 Jun 2011Bothal Burn129683
5.1 cm16 Jun 2011Bothal Burn129683
3.7 cm2 Aug 2009River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones121087
3.5 cm6 Sept 2007River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones107245
3.3 cm2 Aug 2009River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones121087
3.3 cm2 Aug 2009River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones121087
2.7 cm2 Aug 2009River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones121087
2.4 cm16 Jun 2011Bothal Burn129683
2.4 cm2 Aug 2009River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones121087

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
River Wansbeck at Bothel Castle Stepping Stones2 Oct 200622 Jun 202611
Delf Burn25 Jul 201019 Jun 20265
River Wansbeck at River Green Mill31 Jul 202331 Jul 20231
River Wansbeck at Stanners17 Aug 200719 Jun 20193
Hart Burn at Garden House29 Jun 201729 Jun 20171
Hart Burn at Rothley Lodge28 Jun 201728 Jun 20171
River Wansbeck at East Mill24 Jul 201322 Jul 20152
River Wansbeck US of A122 Jul 201322 Jul 20152
River Wansbeck at Mill Farm22 Jul 20132 Jul 20142
River Wansbeck at Stobbs Farm23 Jul 201323 Jul 20131
Swilder Burn1 Jul 20111 Jul 20111
River Wansbeck at Middleton Mill29 Jun 201129 Jun 20111
Bothal Burn16 Jun 201116 Jun 20111
Hart burn at Hartington25 Jul 201025 Jul 20101
River Wansbeck at Morpeth Bridge25 Jul 200825 Jul 20081

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

2006–2026

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 12 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.3 cm
Lower quarter
2.4 cm
Median
3.3 cm
Upper quarter
4.1 cm
Largest
6 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wansbeck

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

Stone loach Brown / sea trout Minnow European eel Bullhead Atlantic salmon

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 →