Electrofishing - What Is An Electrofishing Survey?

Electrofishing is a fisheries management tool used to asses the current population of fish in your pond. An electrofishing survey consists of using boat mounted electronic equipment to safely stun and capture fish from your pond. These fish are then weighed, measured, and inspected for later comparison. Your fish are then released unharmed. We can use the data collected to determine what, if any, shortcomings your pond has and make a management decision based on that evidence, along with physical and chemical factors.

In a comprehensive survey, the data collected is transformed into a report that indicates the current status of the fishery.  It may reveal the need for fish stocking or removal of fish of a certain size. The data may also indicate issues in the physical environment like low alkalinity or a lack of habitat. The results of this investigation will be presented to you in an informative, easy to read format that outlines the current status of your pond. We develop graphical representation of species abundance, size structure, and condition to help inform you what it will take to improve your aquatic resource.

The benefits of electrofishing surveys as a management tool are vast. It is often not a one time endeavor and should be conducted annually or biannual to track the progress of the pond or management plan. This fisheries management tool can help prevent costly mistakes and help make the pond of your dreams. Have one of our trained professional fisheries biologists conduct an electrofishing survey on your aquatic resource soon.