RiverFish

3-spined stickleback · Gasterosteus aculeatus

3-spined stickleback in the South Holland Main Drain

Largest measured 3-spined stickleback: 8.5 cm

The largest 3-spined stickleback measured in Environment Agency surveys of the South Holland Main Drain was 8.5 cm, recorded at Leedsgate Bridge on 25 June 1991.

Across 1,480 measured 3-spined stickleback, the median measured length was 5 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the South Holland Main Drain.

See 3-spined stickleback records across England →

Most recent observation2 April 2025Cliftons Bridge · 3 fish
Largest measured 3-spined stickleback
8.5 cm
Median length
5 cm
Fish measured
1,480
Survey locations
13

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
8.5 cm25 Jun 1991Leedsgate Bridge54694
8.5 cm25 Jun 1991Leedsgate Bridge54694
7.5 cm11 Jun 1997Leedsgate Bridge54712
7 cm26 Mar 2025Shell Bridge176070
7 cm11 Jun 1997Leedsgate Bridge54712
7 cm2 Jul 1991Holland Lodge Farm54700
7 cm2 Jul 1991Holland Lodge Farm54700
7 cm27 Jun 1991Shell Bridge54692
7 cm19 Jun 1991Red House Bridge54696
6.8 cm26 Mar 2025Shell Bridge176070

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
Cliftons Bridge21 Jun 19912 Apr 202512
Coy Sluice13 Jun 20011 Apr 202510
Shell Bridge27 Jun 199126 Mar 20258
Foremans Bridge19 Jun 199128 Apr 20165
Upstream Wisemans Pumping Station28 Jun 199119 Apr 20166
Red House Bridge19 Jun 19917 Apr 20113
Leedsgate Bridge25 Jun 19915 Apr 20114
Peak Hill22 Feb 19881 Apr 20112
Sharps Bridge (South Holland Drain)17 Jun 199120 Jun 20013
Downstream Coy Sluice20 Jun 199113 Jun 20012
Holland Lodge Farm2 Jul 19912 Jul 19911
Holland House1 Jul 19911 Jul 19911
A1101 Bridge17 Jun 199117 Jun 19911

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

1988–2025

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 1,480 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.5 cm
Lower quarter
5 cm
Median
5 cm
Upper quarter
5 cm
Largest
8.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the South Holland Main Drain

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

Roach Pike Gudgeon Common bream Perch Rudd

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 →