Standard Fish Sampling Guidelines for Washington State Ponds and Lakes

Standardized sampling is necessary to compare growth, condition, and population sizes of various lacusterine fish species among years and among lakes. Use of standard techniques allows biologists to concentrate resources on improving fish populations instead of routine monitoring considerations. We present methods for standardizing Washington lake and pond sampling statewide. These methods are based on those used successfully in other areas and modified for the Pacific Northwest. Included in this report are guidelines for conducting gill netting, fyke netting and electrofishing surveys; standards for equipment; and techniques for selecting sample sizes to meet certain objectives.