RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Wensum (central)

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 8.3 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (central) was 8.3 cm, recorded at Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge on 12 August 2014.

Across 402 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 Wensum (central).

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation15 August 2025Hellesdon Road (Albert's) · 1 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
8.3 cm
Median length
3.2 cm
Fish measured
402
Survey locations
18

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
8.3 cm12 Aug 2014Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge142778
6 cm12 Aug 2014Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge142778
5.5 cm10 Oct 2017Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge152404
5.3 cm7 Aug 2014Alders Spinney142779
5.3 cm28 Aug 2003Pensthorpe Hall77262
5.1 cm5 Oct 2023Hellesdon Road (Albert's)164301
5.1 cm13 Aug 2015Alders Spinney146241
5 cm5 Sept 2013Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge138561
5 cm5 Sept 2012Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge133299
5 cm11 Jul 1990Downstream Guist Bridge17250

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
Hellesdon Road (Albert's)14 Aug 201315 Aug 20259
Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge24 May 19941 Aug 202521
Alders Spinney3 Sept 20038 Sept 202213
County School10 Sept 20034 Sept 20185
Upstream Bintree Mill29 Sept 200317 Aug 20182
Pensthorpe Hall26 May 19947 Aug 20187
Swanton Morley19 Jul 199012 Oct 20173
Downstream Elsing Mill23 Jun 19869 Sept 20146
Lyng Pits15 May 19971 Oct 20093
Upstream Gt Ryburgh22 Apr 199728 Sept 20093
Downstream Guist Bridge11 Jul 199024 Sept 20093
Attlebridge Hall Farm14 Jul 199723 Sept 20093
Downstream Billingford Bridge16 Jul 199025 Sept 20065
Walcis' Hill Meadow6 Oct 20036 Oct 20031
Downstream Ringland Bridge30 Sept 200330 Sept 20031
Downstream Attlebridge Bridge22 Sept 200322 Sept 20031
Blakes Meadow17 Sept 200317 Sept 20031
Sennowe Park24 Apr 199724 Apr 19971

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

1986–2025

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 402 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.5 cm
Lower quarter
2.8 cm
Median
3.2 cm
Upper quarter
3.7 cm
Largest
8.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wensum (central)

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

Pike Dace Roach European eel Perch 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 →