RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Wensum (Restoration strategy)

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 8 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (Restoration strategy) was 8 cm, recorded at Upstream Dunton Bridge on 16 April 2019.

Across 66 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.4 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 (Restoration strategy).

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation1 May 2025Upstream Dunton Bridge · 1 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
8 cm
Median length
3.4 cm
Fish measured
66
Survey locations
14

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 cm16 Apr 2019Upstream Dunton Bridge155907
5.7 cm13 Aug 2012Sculthorpe Moor (Downstream Sculthorpe Mill) (reach 28)132836
5.3 cm11 Jul 2013Swanton Morley (Restoration Reach 14)137309
5 cm1 Sept 2011Gt. Ryburgh Common, New loop (Reach24)128076
4.8 cm16 Apr 2019Upstream Dunton Bridge155907
4.7 cm26 Jul 2012Hempton Moor (Upstream Fakenham bypass) (reach 27)132551
4.5 cm6 Apr 2017Upstream Dunton Bridge150364
4.5 cm6 Apr 2017Upstream Dunton Bridge150364
4.3 cm22 Jul 2013Gt. Ryburgh Common, New loop (Reach24)137469
4.3 cm22 Jul 2013Gt. Ryburgh Common, New loop (Reach24)137469

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
Upstream Dunton Bridge6 Apr 20171 May 20253
Upstream Attlebridge30 Aug 202430 Aug 20241
Downstream Fakenham Common (Reach 25)26 Jul 201322 Jul 20142
Gt. Ryburgh Common, New loop (Reach24)1 Sept 201122 Jul 20132
Swanton Morley (Restoration Reach 14)11 Jul 201311 Jul 20131
Gt Ryburgh End - Downstream confluence to iron bridge23 Sept 201121 Sept 20122
Gt Ryburgh End - New Channel Downstream6 Sept 20126 Sept 20121
Gt Ryburgh End - New channel Upstream5 Sept 20125 Sept 20121
Sculthorpe Moor (Downstream Sculthorpe Mill) (reach 28)13 Aug 201213 Aug 20121
Hempton Moor (Upstream Fakenham bypass) (reach 27)26 Jul 201226 Jul 20121
Gt Ryburgh Common d/s meander18 Aug 20105 Sept 20112
Gt Ryburgh Common upstream18 Aug 201018 Aug 20101
Upstream County School (reach 19)21 Sept 200921 Sept 20091
Sayers Meadow30 Jul 199730 Jul 19971

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

1997–2025

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 66 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.9 cm
Lower quarter
3 cm
Median
3.4 cm
Upper quarter
3.8 cm
Largest
8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wensum (Restoration strategy)

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

Minnow Bullhead Dace Stone loach Gudgeon Pike

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 →