Blue Catfish Sampling on the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers
Mar 11, 2023 10:37:37 GMT -5
Post by VFR on Mar 11, 2023 10:37:37 GMT -5
Blue Catfish Sampling on the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers
by Margi Whitmore
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) fisheries staff conducted annual blue catfish sampling over the past two weeks in the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock rivers.
Biologists used low-frequency electrofishing to temporarily immobilize catfish in order to collect length and weight data and track the population. (Wondering what electrofishing is? Check out Not Too Shocking: Your Electrofishing Questions Answered.) Larger size classes and higher numbers of blue catfish were consistently found in deep holes off the main channel and around outside river bends. Areas near drop-offs and with structure, like tree stumps or submerged trees, also held more and larger fish. Read more.....
by Margi Whitmore
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) fisheries staff conducted annual blue catfish sampling over the past two weeks in the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock rivers.Biologists used low-frequency electrofishing to temporarily immobilize catfish in order to collect length and weight data and track the population. (Wondering what electrofishing is? Check out Not Too Shocking: Your Electrofishing Questions Answered.) Larger size classes and higher numbers of blue catfish were consistently found in deep holes off the main channel and around outside river bends. Areas near drop-offs and with structure, like tree stumps or submerged trees, also held more and larger fish. Read more.....