RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the River Wharfe

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 6.7 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wharfe was 6.7 cm, recorded at Boston Spa - Fry Survey on 28 August 2015.

Across 418 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 Wharfe.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation11 August 2025Boston Spa - Fry Survey · 1,183 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
6.7 cm
Median length
3.4 cm
Fish measured
418
Survey locations
10

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
6.7 cm28 Aug 2015Boston Spa - Fry Survey146170
5.1 cm11 Aug 2025Boston Spa - Fry Survey177897
4.6 cm1 Sept 2009Boston Spa - Fry Survey130655
4.5 cm11 Aug 2025Boston Spa - Fry Survey177897
4.5 cm11 Aug 2025Boston Spa - Fry Survey177897
4.5 cm1 Sept 2009Boston Spa - Fry Survey130655
4.4 cm1 Sept 2009Boston Spa - Fry Survey130655
4.4 cm1 Sept 2009Boston Spa - Fry Survey130655
4.3 cm11 Aug 2025Boston Spa - Fry Survey177897
4.3 cm1 Sept 2009Boston Spa - Fry Survey130655

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
Boston Spa - Fry Survey23 Sept 198611 Aug 202519
Pool Mill27 Jun 199622 Aug 20244
Knotford8 Aug 20071 Sept 20112
Tadcaster post 20069 Jul 20109 Jul 20101
Castley18 Jul 19968 Jul 20106
Tadcaster - Fry Survey18 Sept 200118 Sept 20011
U/s Boston Spa Weir16 Sept 199816 Sept 19981
Burley Bypass30 Jul 199730 Jul 19971
Collingham26 Jul 199625 Jul 19972
Nunnery7 Aug 19967 Aug 19961

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 418 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.2 cm
Lower quarter
2.8 cm
Median
3.4 cm
Upper quarter
3.9 cm
Largest
6.7 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Wharfe

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

Minnow Bullhead Stone loach Brown / sea trout European eel Chub

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 →