Before We Get Started
Before searching for freshwater macroinvertebrates, you must have a Pennsylvania Fishing License if you are 16 or older even though they are not precisely fish they are still classified under fish according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission(“Aquatic Field Study” n.d.)! If the weather is nice, water shoes and shorts will do, but waders would be a good option if it is chilly!
Items You May Need/Want
- a bucket or container to collect your macroinvertebrates in.
- An identification key (links provided)
- Using your hands is fine but nets are helpful!
Directions When Using Kicknets
Step 1: Have one person hold the net to the bottom of the stream/river down from your partner downstream.
Step 2: The second person upstream from the net can kick the rocks/ pebbles and use their hands to brush off rocks as they work their way down to your partner.
Step 3: Pick up the net and pick out the macros and place them in a container
Step 4: identify using the identification keys provided
Step 5: Release the macros!
Directions When Using Hands
Step 1: Go in the stream and pick up rocks, leafy material, debris, etc.
Step 2: Inspect the object for macros.
Step 3: Place the macros in a container
Step 4: Identify the macros by using the identification keys provided.
Step 5: Release the macros!
Identification Keys and Resources
https://sourland.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MacroKey_Complete.pdf
https://www.macroinvertebrates.org/
https://dep.wv.gov/wwe/getinvolved/sos/pages/macros.aspx
Bibliography
“Aquatic Field Study.” n.d. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Accessed November 1, 2022. https://www.fishandboat.com:443/LearningCenter/Pages/AquaticFieldStudy.aspx.
