Advanced Fish Sampling – Online – January 20th, 2024

The fundamentals of fish sampling are readily available to the interested investigator and in many cases are actively taught, either through formal training providers such as NRTG or using in-house company “boot camps” or mentoring programs. However, effectively capturing and sampling of fish is a practiced skill and with experience the practitioner learns how to set nets and traps effectively to increase their catch. NRTGs Advanced Fish Sampling MicroCourse is intended for that purpose, to draw on decades of experience capturing and sampling fish to provide students tips, tricks, and strategies to not only set the gear but also to do so in manners to increase catch, while also reducing impacts to trapped fish or mammalian and avian bycatch.  

The course will build on the basics and refine strategies for use of the most commonly used freshwater sampling methods (minnow traps, Fyke net, seines, snorkeling). It will also introduce lesser known, but very useful techniques (visual techniques, specialized nets and traps, use of submersibles). Attention will also be paid to aspects of study design, such as selection of gear and intensity of sampling. In addition, biological sampling that extends beyond the standard length and weight measurements (stomach content analysis, fecundity, DNA sampling) will be described and explored.  

This MicroCourse is intended to assist practicing field staff in improving fish sampling knowledge and skill from the study design to fish capture and on through biological sampling. While the focus of the course is primarily freshwater streams and lakes, some discussion and content relevant to the marine environment is included.   

Course will be 4 hours long.