Shocking the fish Mixing water and electricity is just part of
the job. Having the right tool for the job is important in any
profession or trade. Chefs need sharp knives, house painters
need high-volume sprayers and plumbers need adjustable wrenches.
The same rule applies to fisheries biologists. To effectively
assess the status of Utah’s fish populations, we often use
electrofishing, and it’s just what it sounds like: fishing with
electricity. Most parents (mine included) teach their children
at a young age that water and electricity don’t mix, but that
combination was exactly what attracted me to a career as a
fisheries biologist. In one of my first college biology courses,
we assisted a DWR biologist who was conducting an electrofishing
survey on a nearby stream. It was an incredible experience, and
I’ve been hooked ever since! The following year, I landed a
summer job with that same biologist. Wondering how
electrofishing works? Here are the basics: 1. Electrofishing
equipment varies in size and strength