This program establishes Fish and Wildlife (Service) requirements for electrofishing safety, and provides guidelines for the safe operation, construction, and modification of electrofishing equipment applying to all Service personnel and volunteers who use electricity to sample or control animals in aquatic habitats.

Courses Offered

Training Resources

  • Electrofishing Essentialsis a compilation of video presentations, equipment demonstrations, software tools, and documents. The purpose is to provide guidance that helps biologists
    • increase the precision and accuracy of electrofishing sampling.
    • optimize equipment model choices.
    • improve safety in the field.

You do not need to be enrolled in electrofishing training for these stand-alone resources. These materials serve as a reference for the Principles & Techniques of Electrofishing in-person course and study help, for the online version.

  • Principles and Techniques of Electrofishing (Online) CSP2C01 - This is an online course to build knowledge and skills that will enable biologists to increase the standardization and efficiency of electrofishing sampling while operating in a safer manner. Participants learn how to apply electrical circuit and field concepts to various challenges related to sampling, equipment performance, selection of suitable equipment, equipment troubleshooting, fish injury, and safety. 
  • Electrofishing training videos are available online.  However, if you need to receive credit for attending this training, you must register for the course through DOI Talent. For Non-DOI individuals, a series of Job Aids have been developed to assist with the enrollment process. There are no fees associated with this course.
  • Electrofishing Safety CSP2202 - This online course serves as part of the safety orientation that you undergo prior to fieldwork or when joining a crew.  For U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employees, the Service electrofishing safety policy (241 FW6) states that 6.7 C. “All crew members on the electrofishing team must receive an electrofishing safety orientation prior to the field season, or when they join the team during the field season and a briefing prior to the start of each electrofishing sampling event.”

Contact

If you have any questions about electrofishing, please email gary_schetrompf@fws.gov.