RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Wensum (upper)

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 7.8 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (upper) was 7.8 cm, recorded at Upstream Sculthorpe Mill on 28 September 2012.

Across 501 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 4.1 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 2 3-spined stickleback. The median was 0.1 oz (0.0015 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 0.1 oz (0.002 kg).

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 (upper).

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation2 September 2025Upstream Fakenham Mill · 2 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
7.8 cm
Median length
4.1 cm
Fish measured
501
Survey locations
9

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
7.8 cm28 Sept 2012Upstream Sculthorpe Mill134170
7.7 cm23 Apr 1990Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge17187
6.4 cm3 May 2024Upstream Sculthorpe Mill166210
6.4 cm12 Sept 2012Upstream Fakenham Mill133558
6.1 cm11 Mar 2014Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge140530
6.1 cm26 Mar 1997Upstream Raynham Bridge17203
6.1 cm23 Apr 1990Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge17187
6 cm12 Jun 2018Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge152921
5.9 cm25 Apr 2025South Mill Farm177100
5.8 cm10 Mar 2022Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge160989

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 Fakenham Mill23 Oct 20092 Sept 20258
South Mill Farm28 May 200325 Apr 20258
Tatterford Common24 Apr 199022 Apr 20259
Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge23 Apr 199015 Apr 20259
Upstream Sculthorpe Mill11 Mar 19863 May 202412
Hellhoughton Common10 Apr 199018 Apr 202312
Fakenham Common25 Apr 199427 Apr 20156
Downstream Doughton Bridge3 Apr 19973 Apr 19971
Upstream Raynham Bridge5 Mar 198626 Mar 19974

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 501 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.1 cm
Lower quarter
3.5 cm
Median
4.1 cm
Upper quarter
4.6 cm
Largest
7.8 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 2 3-spined stickleback. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
0 oz (0.0012 kg)
Median
0.1 oz (0.0015 kg)
Upper quarter
0.1 oz (0.0018 kg)
Heaviest
0.1 oz (0.002 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wensum (upper)

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

Brown / sea trout Stone loach Bullhead European eel Brook lamprey 10-spined stickleback

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 →