Electro-fishing Demonstration - Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Electrofishing surveys are a management tool used to assess fisheries in lakes and ponds. An electrofishing survey involves the use of a generator-equipped, research-quality electrofishing boat. Electricity is sent from the generator through the electrodes into the water thus sending a charge of electricity into the area immediately around our boat. This stuns the fish for a short time so that they can be netted and placed in the on-board livewell. The fish are then identified by species, assessed by size, quantity and condition, and immediately returned unharmed into the water. The data gathered from the survey will determine the current health of the fishery and provides a starting point to make management recommendations. Electrofishing can also be used to remove unwanted species.