Fishing Trip Procedures LEQ’s: How do we catch fish in the Hidden Pond? What does our fish population tell us about the pond ecosystem?

Species of Fish  BG – Bluegill  PS – Pumpkinseed  CB – Crappie Bass  LB – Largemouth Bass

Materials  Fishing Rods –Closed and Open  Fish hooks  Bobber  Lead Weight  Bait –Bring own lures, or corn, hot dog, worms, plastic bait, etc…  Rulers  Field Report Journals

Procedures  Weather Conditions in Journals  Begin Fishing  BE CAREFUL OF THOSE AROUND YOU  Don’t cast into tree!

Signing out poles  Put your name on the right-hand side of the index card with the number of pole you have.  You only get one pole. Be careful and cast carefully.

Casting  Always Watch Your Cast !!!!!!!!!  Open –Flip gate and hold string –Pull back and watch your line –When you follow through, let go of line –Flip gate back when it hits water  Closed –Push button –Pull back and watch your line –When you follow through, release button –Reel in one or two turns and wait

When the fish bites…  The bobber will either –Move around –Bob up and down in water  Pull back easily on the pole  Reel in slowly

When you take the fish off…  Identify fish  Bluegill/Pumpkinseed/Crappie –Put hand on top of head and continue back as shown in class  Largemouth Bass –Put thumb in mouth and take hook out with other hand

When a Fish is caught  Wet hands before you grab the fish. –To keep the protective mucus coating on the fish  Carefully remove the hook  Identify the fish  Measure the length  Record the data –Type –Bait –Length of fish  Release the fish GENTLY – do not drop or throw

Bait, hooks and fishing poles  NO LIVE FISH BAIT (like minnows)  Hot dogs, corn, pieces of bread, worms, mealworms, and fake minnow bait are fine  Fishing poles should be brought directly to my room during busroom  All other equipment (tackle boxes, bait ) should be brought directly after busroom.  Put your name and section on each piece of equipment

When Finished  Place the hook on the 3 rd eyelet  Wind line tight  Place the pole back to its correct number