Abstract
AbstractMinnow traps are widely used in aquatic ecology for the quantitative sampling of small‐bodied fish. We used paired sampling stations to compare the catch efficiency of minnow traps constructed of galvanized steel with that of traps constructed of steel mesh covered with a black vinyl coating in field and laboratory conditions. Except for northern redbelly dace Phoxinus eos in field sampling, the catch efficiency of the galvanized minnow traps was higher than that of the black traps. Catches of pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus, creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus, and white sucker Catostomus commersonii were up to five times higher in the galvanized minnow traps than in the black ones. For the quantitative estimation of small‐bodied fish, we recommend using only galvanized minnow traps to maximize catch efficiency. If data are intended for quantitative analyses, mixing minnow trap models in a field survey could lead to inappropriate catch comparisons.Received October 31, 2011; accepted January 23, 2012
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