69 



the net from the water and poured into the holding cans. 

 Where larger nets are employed, the "lift" should not 

 clear the water but rise to a point where sufficient 

 water will bepresent for ample movement of the captured 

 fish. The fish in the net can then be transferred to 

 the holding cans with a long-handled dip net. 



Drop nets are operated success fully in quiet waters 

 on certain species such as the golden shiner, fat-headed 

 minnow, and creek chub. Minnows can be collected 

 efficiently with little or no injury by this method 

 under the guidance of a good operator. There are many 

 advantages of using a drop net, where practicable, 

 instead of a seine. In capture, the fish are not 

 "rolled, " crowded, or crushed; the bed of the pond is 

 not broken nor is the bottom debris roiled to any 

 extent. furthermore, minnows under salable-size can 

 be returned to the waters, uninjured. In clear waters, 

 the drop net will work more efficiently for certain 

 species if the netting, ropes, and frame support are 

 dyed a netural color that harmonizes with the surround- 

 ing water. In highly turbid waters, dyeing would 

 probably be of no material value. Where fragile minnows 

 are being collected with the drop net, the netting 

 material should be a soft fabric, such as cheesecloth. 

 When this material is used, some minnows which "scale" 

 easily, such as the golden shiner, can be harvested 

 successfully during the hottest weather. 



USE OF DIP NETS 



The so-called "dip net" is frequently used in 

 taking shiners inthe Great Lakes. This net is usually 

 of conical design, 1 to 2 feet in diameter at the 

 opening, and 2 to 3 feet deep. The rigid hoop that 

 forms the opening is fastened to a handle. The mesh 

 size of the netting material used in construction 

 varies, depending upon the size of the minnows to be 

 collected ( fig. 16). 



Figure 16. 



-Dip net for handling 

 minnows in quantity. 



