Electrofishing

of Lake Waterford

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Fisheries Biologists Frank Jakubicek and Scott Bartell completed an electrofishing sampling of Lake Waterford on July 25, 2013.  Electrofishing utilizes a boat specially equipped with an electric generator which supplies a direct current into the water through electrodes on booms placed ahead of the bow of the boat.  The shocked fish are stunned and float to the surface where two biologists at the bow railing with long, fiberglass handled nets scoop them into a holding tank supplied with oxygen.  After a designated collection time each fish is identified, measured and weighed, logged and then released UNHARMED. 

The results of the survey will not be available for awhile, but the catch per unit effort (CPUE) was not as high as the 2007 sampling.  The populations of Largemouth Bass and Bluegill appear healthy.  One black crappie was netted but no undesirable species were detected.  Come to our meeting for the complete results of the survey expected during the winter. 

Click photo to enlarge.

The crew arrives

IDNR electrofishing boat

The electrode

The Crew

Action

The weigh-in

Frank Jakubicek

Tank of captured fish

LM Bass

Scott Bartell with a big one!