Comparison of Prepositioned Area Electrofishers and Electric Seines for Sampling Stream Fish Communities

Daniel B. Fenner, Maureen G. Walsh, Dana L. Winkelman
Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 404 Life Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, (405) 744-6342, (405) 744-5006; danaw@okstate.edu

Prepositioned area electrofishers (PAE's) and electric seines have been useful for sampling stream fishes; however, questions remain on the effectiveness of these gears in sampling stream fish communities. Our study compares these two gears in northeastern Oklahoma streams and estimates the benefits and costs of using each gear. We also estimate the minimum number of samples needed to adequately describe stream fish communities in our study streams for both gear types. Preliminary results indicate that electric seining may be more effective at sampling fish communities within specific habitats but PAE's may be better at estimating fish distributions within microhabitats.