Become a Citizen Scientist
You don’t have to be a scientist to contribute meaningful data to cutting edge research…
Projects at the University of Montana and the Flathead Lake Biological Station that are dedicated to trout conservation need your help in collecting valuable samples.
96 well plate used in gentic analyses
Field sampling with electrofishing gear
In order to answer questions about trout species in Montana, we need DNA samples from individuals so that they can be analyzed. This comes in the form of a fin clip. While fishing, we ask that you take a very small piece of fin tissue from individuals that you have legally caught and are planning to keep. These samples will be sent to us in small vials of ethanol that will be provided. If possible, the length of the fish you sample from should be measured, and a clear picture should be taken.
Cutthroat tout(Oncorhynchus clarkii)
Release of sampled trout by trained professional
Remember! The health of the fish is more important than the sample, so we ask that the well-being of the fish takes top priority.
Sampling Protocol
Image steps:
Step 1) Handle the fish
Step 2) Take a fin clip
Step 3) Transfer the fin clip
Step 4) Secure the fin clip
Step 5) Obtain length measurements
Step 6) Take an informative, detailed picture
Step 7) Accurately record data for each sample
Step 8) Add labels and return sample to the lab
If you’d like to be a part of conserving our native fish and answering important ecological questions about the Pacific Northwest, become a citizen scientist today! Email Gordon Luikat with “citizen science” in the subject line, and one of our research members will be in touch to help you get started.
