3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the Small River Lee

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 5.1 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Small River Lee was 5.1 cm, recorded at Windmill Lane on 7 May 2015.

Across 6 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 3.8 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Small River Lee.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation28 April 2026Windmill Lane

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 5.1 cm
Median length: 3.8 cm
Fish measured: 6
Survey locations: 2

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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
5.1 cm	7 May 2015	Windmill Lane	144644
4.9 cm	7 May 2015	Windmill Lane	144644
4 cm	7 May 2015	Windmill Lane	144644
3.6 cm	25 Oct 2002	Small River Lee, Waltham Abbey	72648
3 cm	25 Oct 2002	Small River Lee, Waltham Abbey	72648
2.2 cm	15 Aug 2005	Small River Lee, Waltham Abbey	85559

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding 3-spined stickleback
Windmill Lane	11 May 2011	28 Apr 2026	3
Small River Lee, Waltham Abbey	25 Oct 2002	19 Aug 2015	5

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

2002–2026

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded 3-spined stickleback that year.

102

103

004

105

006

007

008

009

010

111

112

013

014

215

016

017

018

019

020

021

022

023

024

025

126

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 6 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.2 cm
Lower quarter: 3.2 cm
Median: 3.8 cm
Upper quarter: 4.7 cm
Largest: 5.1 cm

0–99 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Small River Lee

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

Perch Roach Dace Gudgeon Minnow European eel

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 →