III. Fish Sampling

A. Rod and Reel 1. Most common method for sampling fish 2. Several techniques we will use a. Live bait- sample of fish’s food is hooked, casted, and watched for bait to be taken

b. Crank baits- hard or soft baits painted and shaped like prey items 1. Casted out and retrieved at a steady rate c. Soft plastics- prey shaped lures rigged with or without weights. 1. Casted out and retrieved irregularly

3. Two knots we will use for these techniques a. Clinch knot b. Palomar knot

B. Trotlines 1. A trotline is a series of baited hooks crossing a body of water and weighted to bottom 2. Allows to leave line unattended and fish longer

3. Rules: a. Must label with name and address b. No more than 25 hooks per line c. Must check daily d. No treble hooks

C. Seining 1. Uses a large net to trap fish 2. How to: a. Spread across body of water b. Lean poles back 45° and keep net on bottom c. From here, can do two things

1. Walk upstream a distance. before turning toward shore 1. Walk upstream a distance before turning toward shore scooping net as you reach the bank 2. Keep net stationary having several others walk downstream toward net kicking rocks, logs, etc, washing fish into net

D. Cast Nets Weighted nets tied to line are thrown into water Net opens as thrown and sinks to bottom When line is pulled, net closes and fish are trapped

E. Traps 1. Funnel traps are weighted and baited 2. Tied to bank and sunk in body of water 3. Fish swim in and can’t find their way out.