Electrofishing is a valuable tool frequently used to assess and manage fish populations. Techniques and equipment for electrofishing have been perfected over the years, but there are drawbacks that some users fail to recognize. One of these drawbacks, physiological stress, can damage or kill a fish weeks after initial contact with the electrical current. This paper summarizes effects produced by using ac, dc, and pulsed dc systems. Specific examples are described. Severity of the shock, which is determined by strength of the field and total exposure time, can be controlled by the user to minimize physiological impacts. Suggestions are made to help reduce physiological stress caused by electrofishing.
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