Backpack and Boat Electrofishing

July 21 - 23, 2026

Course Overview

This comprehensive 2-3 day training program provides participants with essential knowledge and practical skills in electrofishing techniques used throughout Ontario. Designed for environmental professionals, researchers, and students working in fisheries, aquatic ecology, or environmental monitoring, this course blends classroom learning with extensive hands-on field experience.

Backpack Electrofishing Techniques (Days 1–2)

The Electrofishing Course provides participants with training in the safe, ethical, and effective use of electrofishing equipment for fish sampling and population studies.
Topics include the principles of electricity in water, fish response to electrical fields, equipment operation and maintenance, and safety protocols required under provincial standards. Field sessions give participants hands-on experience with equipment setup, fish capture, and handling techniques that minimize harm to aquatic organisms.

Completion of the Electrofishing Course meets the recognized standard for professionals conducting fisheries work in Ontario and is often required for regulatory compliance and environmental consulting projects.

Equipment Requirements

Ecopa provides Backpack Electrofishing equipment; however, participants may bring their own, provided it has been serviced within the last five years. Each participant must have:

Non-breathable, non-leaking chest waders.
Leak-free footwear, such as wading shoes or aggressive rubber boots.
Essential items like food and beverages for the field day.

Optional Boat Electrofishing Techniques (Day 3)

In partnership with Halltech Aquatic Research Inc., Ecopa Environmental now offers an optional one-day boat electrofishing training module. This specialized field session focuses on the safe and effective operation of boat-based electrofishing equipment, covering setup, electrical theory in aquatic systems, on-water sampling techniques, species capture and handling best practices, risk mitigation, and compliance with safety protocols, providing participants with practical hands-on experience in a boat setting that complements Ecopa’s existing backpack electrofishing curriculum.

Certification

Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for each course taken. The electrofishing course aligns with previous provincial electrofisher certification requirements, but Ontario no longer certifies electrofishing. While electrofishing certification is not required to obtain an MNR Licence to Collect Fish for Scientific Purposes, it provides valuable training in safe and effective practices.

Registration Information

Before registering, please review our registration guidelines and refund policy.

Electrofishing

$600.00

Electrofishing Registration Form

Electrofishing (3-Day)

$900.00

Electrofishing Registration Form

First name

Last name

Phone

Address

Affiliation / Organization

Customer Billing Address

Emergency Contact Name & Number

Please list any medical concerns

Meals

Participants are responsible for their own meals. We will typically take a one-hour lunch break and order lunches from a local café daily.

Course Preparation

Location

Our June workshop is being held at the Ken Reid Conservation Area, 277 Kenrei Rd, Lindsay, ON K9V 4R2. If you’re using an older GPS, some have the road listed as Ken Reid Rd. We will be using the Field House facilities for training and testing purposes.

Our field session will take place in the local area and will require participants to meet at the Field House prior to departure.

Transportation

Participants will be responsible for transportation to field sites. We will organize carpooling on the first day of the course to minimize our carbon footprint.

Parking

Participants will need to purchase a daily parking pass for the Ken Reid Conservation Area.

Clothing

Participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for indoor activities in the Field House for each day of the course. Our fieldwork will take place briefly at the end of the day on Day 1 and for most of the day on Day 2 of the course. Weather conditions may range from cool to very warm at this time of year. Please come prepared for all eventualities, as fieldwork may need to be conducted in inclement weather (*the exception being an electrical storm).

Gear

Participants will be required to bring their supplies for both indoor and outdoor activities.

Recommended Gear:

Backpack
Cell phone
Calculator
Notebook
Binder or file folder for additional handouts on the course
Pens/pencils/highlighter
Clipboard
Laptop computer (for classroom work)
Mosquito/tick repellant
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Headlamp
GPS (optional)
Diameter-at-breast height tape measure (optional)
Clinometer (optional)
Laser measuring tape (optional)
Acoustic bat detection equipment (optional)

Course Materials

PDFs of the course training material and manuals will be available to participants prior to the commencement of the course. Additional materials will be provided during the course in both digital and paper formats.

We recommend that participants download all materials and bring them to the course on a laptop or notebook. You will receive a welcome message from the course instructor prior to the course with specific directions regarding course preparation.