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An Electrofishing Raft for Sampling Intermediate‐Size Waters with Restricted Boat Access
Author(s) -
Stangl Michael J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(2001)021<0679:aerfsi>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - electrofishing , fishery , watercraft , raft , sampling (signal processing) , micropterus , computer science , environmental science , bass (fish) , marine engineering , fish <actinopterygii> , telecommunications , biology , engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , detector , copolymer , polymer
Little information is readily available to fishery scientists regarding the design and construction of electrofishing rafts. I have modified some of the customary characteristics of oar‐powered electrofishing rafts to create a raft that is powered by an outboard motor, is relatively light for easier transport to and from the stream, and provides easier passage through shallow waters. This raft design resulted in more effective sampling of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu by allowing us to sample sections along a creek that were inaccessible to traditional electrofishing rafts and boats, which typically are launched from a boat trailer backed into the water. In addition, this design provided greater mobility within sampling sections, ensuring that all habitats were sampled.