Sculpin Reintroduction Program
Native sculpin are being reintroduced into southeast Minnesota streams where they have been previously extirpated. The plan below describes the program, along with the pictures below.
First, sculpin are collected from donor streams with backpack electrofishers.
Reintroductions are done in the fall, when cooler temperatures make transport easier on the sculpin.
Electrofishing itself doesn't harm the sculpin, based on research cited below and others, but measurements are taken quickly to minimize handling stress.
Sculpin are stocked into appropriate habitat on recipient streams, particularly riffles. Electrofishing the following year will help determine their success.
As stated in the plan above, this effort will restore an ecologically important species to these coldwater streams. And trout like to eat them.