Montana State University Student Subunit
of the American Fisheries Society
24 January 2020
Attendance: 12 MSU AFS students + ~7 UM
AFS students
10:00 a.m. David Schmetterling
Presentation on fish handling, tagging and marking
Dave encouraged people to know the purpose about why
we are collecting information on the fish that we are. He discussed what you
may learn from the measurements you collect from fish. He covered the different
pros and cons for applying anesthesia prior to handling fish. Different measurement
types were discussed such as total, fork, standard, eye to fork, and snout to
vent, and weight. Differences between fish marking and fish tagging and which
to choose for different project goals were covered. Dave handed out the different
types of tags for students to observe and practice using them on bananas first.
�
12:00 � 12:30 Lunch
12:30 � 1:15 p.m. Angela Smith (Hatchery Manager)
gave a tour of the hatchery
Only Westslope Cutthroat Trout are reared at this
hatchery. Angela explained the variable genetics of this MO12 brood stock. When
it is necessary, they will infuse wild fish genetics into the MO12 brood. Both
breeding and production fish are held at the Washoe Park Fish Hatchery. Angela
discussed how light exposure from the skylights in the hatchery building can stress
the fish and sometimes cause cold-water bacterial outbreaks/infections, but the
light exposure also helps them adjust to the stress of real-life outdoor
conditions once they are transferred outside. Feeding times have been changed
from four times a day down to one big feeding a day since Angela took over.
This is to help prevent fish from the stress of being nipped at and to prevent
fin damage. Angela invited students who wish to volunteer with hatchery work to
come back in April to help with sorting the 3-year old brood stock by sex.
1:15-2:45 p.m. Students Practice
anesthetizing, marking, and tagging fish with Dave Schmetterling
and Rob Clark
Students practiced anesthetizing, handling, marking,
and tagging fish at five stations.� Students
were able to mark the fish using hole punches and scissors for fin clips. Students
were able to practice tagging with VIE and VI tags. Dave and Rob demonstrated
how the implantation of a radio tag works and discussed the pros and cons of
using stainless steel staples vs. silk sutures for closing the incision.
Adjourn: 2:45 p.m.
MSU students provided Dave, Angela, and Rob with our
AFS t-shirts and stickers.� Several
photos were taken and will be combined into a google doc for attendees to
download if they wish.
2:50 p.m. Students left for Bozeman and
arrived at 5:15 p.m.
Compiled by Levi Umland, Secretary