West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Backpack Shocker

A unique tool helps the DNR manage fisheries.

May 7, 2008
Reporter: Patrick McMurtry
Videographer: Brad Rice

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We've done several stories over the years showing you how these things work (show big shocking boats). We've shocked for bass, walleye and musky. But sometimes you just can't get one of these boats where you need to do the research. That's where the back pack shocker comes in mighty handy.

Dan Cincotta/DNR says:
"They're easy to use in small streams and they are safe, very efficient to stun fish for a short period of time. you can use the big ones, but these are much easier to get access to the back country."

This day finds dan and a group of outdoor lovers at the Kanawha State Forest. They're learning more about what kind of fish are in the waters here. New information discovered with an older technology.

Dan Cincotta/DNR says:
"We use it for fish management research all the time. Most of the original research done back in the 1950's used electricity. It gave them an alternative to not kill fish and that way we can collect fish, do minimal harm to them and make management decisions."

This is a pretty unique place to look for fish. The rushing water coming over the dam, combined with the slower moving shallow water downstream combines to give dan and his crew a lot of fish to check out.

Dan Cincotta/DNR says:
"Small streams typically have headwater species like white sucker, fan tail darter, creek chubs, that's what you typically find in small streams. If we were up in the mountains where trout are native, we'd find that."

Today a treat, the gang gets nets this beautiful rainbow darter.

That pretty much says it all. For West Virginia Wildlife, I'm Patrick Mcmurtry, Eyewitness News.

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W. Va. DNR

MORE WILDLIFE NEWS

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