Patapsco River Sampling

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Patapsco River

Last week I went back out with Biologists Andy Becker, Jay Kilian and the rest of the MBSS sampling crew to sample a different part of the Patapsco River. The process was the same as last time; first, we set up two block nets for a 70-meter sampling area. The site was sampled twice to make sure all the different species of fish were caught. This site had more fallen trees and little hidden spots for the fish to hide. The electro fishing took longer on each pass because of this, but it was cool to see how many little redbreast, rock bass and minnows lived under these fallen trees, including one of the biggest rock bass the crew has seen this season. Andy went into more detail with us on the different fish species, and I�ll tell you the little fish are very difficult to tell apart. First, you have to classify the overall species of the fish, then figure out what category the fish falls and then look at the fins, color, pattern to classify the name of the fish. Some species are too close to call, and the crew has to take them back to the office to classify them. This time around I learned a lot about the different species of fish and how to classify them, which will help me in college when I take Fisheries classes.