Zoology class collects species in Ninnescah River

On April 19 Kip Chambers’ Zoology class participated in a field trip to the Ninnescah River below Pratt County Lake. The students were supervised in the field by several biologists from the Environmental Service Department of KDWPT. While in the river the students collected fish and macro-invertebrates to help prepare them for up-coming units in their Zoology class. 
 
The students collected macro-invertebrates (primarily aquatic insects) using dip nets. The biologist from KDWPT helped the students indentify the invertebrates in the field. The students will do further analysis on these organisms in the laboratory at PCC.  
 
The students also collected fish using an electro-fishing technique. More than 15 species of fish were identified and released. Many of the fish collected were predatory sport fish that have moved into the river from Pratt County Lake or were washed into the river from up-stream sources. Although these fish provide recreational fishing activities for local anglers they have a negative impact on the native fish species in the Ninnescah as the feed on the smaller minnow species that are indigenous to the river. 
 
“This was a valuable learning experience for the students in the class and we would personally like to thank the biologists from KDWPT,” Chambers said. “Without their help and support this project would not be possible.”