Photo Album: Identification of Iowa Fishes Workshop

Photo Albums

Why would forty-three fisheries and aquatic biologists spend a beautiful summer day in a laboratory? To learn how to do their jobs better. On Friday, July 13th, forty-three biologists from several agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, University Hygenic Laboratory, Iowa State University, The Nature Conservancy, and Des Moines University attended a day-long workshop entitled "Identification of Iowa Fishes" at Iowa State University. The workshop, part of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society continuing education program, was jointly hosted by Iowa State's Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and the Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. David Rowe of the Wisconsin DNR and Jeff Kopaska of the Iowa DNR presented new web-based tools to assist with fish identification. Mel Bowler, Ken Krier, John Olson, and Tom Wilton of the Iowa DNR and Matt Watters of UHL provided fish specimens and expert instruction on how to identify them. Clay Pierce of ISU and the ICFWRU organized the workshop, with help from several Iowa State NREM staff members.

Many of the participants are involved in expanding statewide programs of fishery and aquatic health assessment. Accurate identifiction of Iowa's 140+ fish species is crucial to these efforts. The workshop combined traditional activities such as examining preserved specimens under microscopes and using printed keys, with new web-based tools such as the Iowa Rivers Information System's observed and predicted occurrence databases and Wisconsin's photo-based fish identification software. Participants enjoyed the day and came away with new enthusiasm and skills for doing this important part of their jobs.