Detection probabilities of electrofishing, hoop nets, and benthic trawls for fishes in two western North American rivers

Christopher D. Smith; Michael C. Quist; Ryan S. Hardy

doi:10.3996/022015-jfwm-011

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Detection probabilities of electrofishing, hoop nets, and benthic trawls for fishes in two western North American rivers

Christopher D. Smith·Michael C. Quist·Ryan S. Hardy

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Abstract

Research comparing different sampling techniques helps improve the efficiency and efficacy of sampling efforts. We compared the effectiveness of three sampling techniques (small-mesh hoop nets, benthic trawls, boat-mounted electrofishing) for 30 species in the Green (WY, USA) and Kootenai (ID, USA) rivers by estimating conditional detection probabilities (probability of detecting a species given its presence at a site). Electrofishing had the highest detection probabilities (generally greater than 0.60) for most species (88%), but hoop nets also had high detectability for several taxa (e.g., adult burbot Lota lota , juvenile northern pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis ). Benthic trawls had low detection probabilities (<0.05) for most taxa (84%). Gear-specific effects were present for most species indicating large differences in gear effectiveness among techniques. In addition to gear effects, habitat characteristics also influenced detectability of fishes. Most species-specific habitat relationships were idiosyncratic and reflected the ecology of the species. Overall findings of our study indicate that boat-mounted electrofishing and hoop nets are the most effective techniques for sampling fish assemblages in large, coldwater rivers.

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Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.51474739095224° to 49.00004203215395° latitude; -116.6033935546875° to -109.37164306640625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Christopher D. Smith, Michael C. Quist, Ryan S. Hardy. 2015-09-01. Detection probabilities of electrofishing, hoop nets, and benthic trawls for fishes in two western North American rivers. https://doi.org/10.3996/022015-jfwm-011

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