Trout Power

advocacy. stewardship. citizen science.

How does Trout Power do citizen science?

Catching and sampling brook trout

Volunteers catch and release brook trout to collect a tissue sample from the tail to be used in DNA analysis. All fish are carefully handled and returned to the exact location they were caught.

Step 1 - go catch a brook trout!

Step 2 - carefully take a small tissue sample

Step 3 - release the fish and keep the sample for DNA analysis

Step 4 - record the GPS location of where the fish was caught

Other Citizen Science efforts include temperature monitoring, collection of water and bug samples for analysis, and collaborations with conservation groups and state agencies to outreach to advocate for our beloved brook trout!

What is with the
fish in the bag?

Many Trout Power volunteers have caught and "bagged" a fish during their citizen science adventures. You may be wondering, why do they put the brook trout in the bag? There are a few reasons for this:

1) This process allows for the fish to remain in the water at all times. When a Trout Power volunteer removes a tissue sample from the tail, the remainder of the fish can stay in the water.

2) In most situations, the fish seem to relax in the bag and settle down quickly. The bag makes it much easier to remove the fly quickly while the fish is still underwater.

3) It allows for better observation of the fish, including photos!