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Colwater fish in rivers
Citation:
Curry, R., R. M. HUGHES, M. E. McMaster, AND D. J. Zafft. Colwater fish in rivers. Chapter 9, Scott A. Bonar, Wayne A. Hubert, and David W. Willis (ed.), Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD, , 1-16, (2009).
Impact/Purpose:
A standard sampling protocol to assess the fish assemblages and abundances in large, coldwater rivers is most accurate and precise if consistent gears and levels of effort are used at each site.
Description:
A standard sampling protocol to assess the fish assemblages and abundances in large, coldwater rivers is most accurate and precise if consistent gears and levels of effort are used at each site. This requires thorough crew training, quality control audits, and replicate sampling. As changes in technology and objectives change protocols, it is essential to conduct calibration studies so that past and subsequent protocols can be quantitatively compared. Study objectives and river characteristics will determine if multiple gear types are feasible (e.g., a large scale assessment targeting sentinel species or a statewide, province-wide, regional, or national fish assemblage assessment will most probably require only a single gear type). Electrofishing by boat or raft is typically the most effective and efficient of gears. Gill netting is also effective for medium-to-large fishes when river conditions permit and is commonly used in remote locations where transport of gear is difficult. Snorkeling and seining are also useful under appropriate conditions. When rivers contain high-velocity currents, rapids, or snags, sampling by highly training personnel who are familiar with safely protocols is mandatory.
