electrofishing

noun elec·tro·fish·ing \ i-ˈlek-trō-ˌfi-shiŋ \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Definition of electrofishing

: fishing that employs a direct electric current to attract and usually temporarily immobilize fish for easy capture

Recent Examples of electrofishing from the Web

On one recent electrofishing outing, the researchers pumped the stomach of an adult walleye as part of their diet analysis.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Can the walleye population rebound in McDermott Lake if bass and panfish are reduced?," 30 June 2018
This was the first electrofishing experience for Carlson and Wilson, and the equipment was only as effective as its novice handlers.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW-Parkside students shock Root River fish for science," 28 July 2017
Finally, unlike trawling, sonar, or electrofishing, eDNA sampling is virtually impact-less.

— jason bittel, Smithsonian, "How Scientists Use Teeny Bits of Leftover DNA to Solve Wildlife Mysteries," 25 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'electrofishing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.