Each NRTG course includes free, lifetime admission. Enrol once – come back anytime.

Description

The Fish Habitat Assessment course is an intensive, ‘hands-on’, online, and field-based two-day review of standard North American fish and fish habitat assessment and evaluation methods. In this course, participants will learn first-hand how to conduct measurements, assessments and evaluations of stream morphology, fish habitat features, substrate, pebble counts, stream impacts and habitat limiting factors.

Prerequisites

First Aid requirements will vary by province or country. Typically, an approved Level One first aid course (containing a CPR component) is required. Please consult with the applicable WorkSafe or safety regulatory agency:

Note: First aid training may be completed prior to or after this training program and must be successfully completed prior to participating in actual electrofishing field work.

Fish habitat assessment is typically conducted in advance of classifying streams, developing restoration plans, or conducting long-term monitoring of stream morphology and fish populations.

Who attends?

Course participants typically include current fisheries field technicians and biologists, other environmental professionals requiring ‘fish and fish habitat’ training, resource workers, individuals new to the industry and graduates of other natural resource-related programs.

How do I attend?

Check our course schedule page. Interested in bringing the FHA course to your community or organizations? If so, please contact us.

What should I bring or supply?

For the online training, provide your own computer and stable internet access. For the field training, bring leak-free chestwaders with non-slip footwear (felt, cleat or rubber soled wading shoes or wader boots), field binder with waterproof paper, appropriate field clothing, bag lunch and refreshments.

Course Format

This course includes online presentations and student-led field exercises. Our instructors will provide direction and support for all field exercises, and students should identify and scout 2-3 local streams (within 20 minutes from your location) in advance of the course start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is this course offered?

We offer this course beginning in February in coastal regions and March in interior regions throughout North America. Please refer to our Schedule page for course timing and locations.

Where can I purchase field gear?

You can purchase chestwaders from Canadian Tire, any flyfishing shop across Canada, Cabela’s, or industry suppliers such as Dynamic Aqua Supply (Surrey, BC), IRL Supplies (Prince George, BC), Winners Edge (Lillooet, BC), Surplus Herby’s (Williams Lake, Kamloops, Vernon BC), Forestry equipment suppliers across Canada, and other outdoor equipment outfitters.

What is the best or most appropriate type of chestwaders?

First, always ensure your chestwaders do not leak! You can do this easily by holding a flashlight (or your phone) in your waders in a dark room. Beams of light coming out in small pinholes might indicate a small hole. Patch using Aqua seal or Shoe Goo.

Neoprene chestwaders are appropriate for spring, fall and winter conditions but may be too warm for summer field work. Nylon chestwaders and Gore-Tex ® or breathable chestwaders are excellent choices for most seasons, where crew members wear warm layers (e.g., fleece, polypropylene) underneath during colder field conditions.

What is the best or most appropriate footwear for fisheries field work?

Felt soles can offer stable footing in most types of stream substrates but may be poor choices when working in areas of extensive clay stream bottoms or snowy banks. Felt soles will provide poor traction on clay and snow will stick to and accumulate on felt-soled wading shoes. Wading shoes with cleats (aluminum or tungsten) will provide stable footing in a variety of substrates (gravels, cobbles, clay, large boulders) and are less likely to transfer invasive species from waterbody to waterbody.

Related Training

View all Fisheries Programs

Testimonials

Fantastic course; clear, concise, fun, and informative. Great learning environment.

-Nick de Brouwer, Biologist, Harrison Hot Springs, B.C.

“Fabulous instructor who made the course interesting and relevant. Practical field training was awesome.”

— Kendra Morgan, Biologist, Richmond, B.C.

“Al McNeil was fantastic! knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic. Course exceeded my expectations.”

— Noel Soogrim, Toronto, Ontario

“I liked Darren’s passion and understanding of the industry, nature of work, and knowledge level. His experience and knowledge are great benefits to taking this course, and now I feel capable and confident to conduct field work.”

— Marla Ives, Biologist, Fort St John, B.C.

Fabulous course! loads of great information and very nice and patient instructor.

-Kirsten Jorgensen, DFO Biologist, Vancouver, B.C.

“Amazing course and instructor! The heavy field component allows students to dive into the material and thoroughly understand the content.”

— Larissa Chin, DFO Biologist, Vancouver, B.C.

“NRTG has knowledgeable and experienced instructors that are eager to share their expertise to the benefit of course participants and industry. This is a great course, and I learned a ton that will be really helpful.”

— Andrew Martin, Biologist, Prince George, B.C.

“Great course and wonderful instructor.”

— Gwen Baker, Biologist, Fort St. John, B.C.