Hi, I have been an aquarium hobbyist for a long time now. I went from tropicals (mostly cichlids), to planted aqaria, and lately to collecting my own plants. And, then I realized, why not just collect my own fish as well?

I currently live at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawah rivers, but also call Marietta, OH home (so also the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers). Lately, I've been wandering around wet ditches, ponds, and creeks looking for interesting aquatic plants. I know nothing about netting fish, but am eager to learn. I am not so sure I need another addictive hobby, though.

I don't even know where to start with this hobby. I have searched the forum for others in WV and the local area, but didn't find much. I hope I can add something to the forum soon.

Welcome! An addictive hobby you have indeed found!

Probably the first thing you want to do it familiarize yourself with the fish in your area. A good resource is Natureserve, which will give you a quick breakdown of the fish species located in a watershed (probably way more than you would've imagined!) The next thing to do if you're going to collect would be do some research on the legality of collecting fish in your state. Most of the time a fishing license is required, and often there are other stipulations, so be careful here. There may also be protected species which you will want to be sure to not collect. Other than that, go exploring! You will pretty quickly learn how to ID the fish (especially with a good book) and learn what kind of habitats to find them in. Most of our native species, assuming they are small enough, can be kept fairly easily in an unheated tank. Your best bet is to decide what kind of fish you want and do some research. If you have any questions, we are always happy to help. Welcome aboard.

-Derek

Don't wait until you see the fish to try to net it. The most interesting things are collected dragging a net blind through vegetation, or sand or mud, or over a riffle in a stream (even when the water looks clear).

Don't wait until you see the fish to try to net it. The most interesting things are collected dragging a net blind through vegetation, or sand or mud, or over a riffle in a stream (even when the water looks clear).

Yeah, I'm here to testify; we were out pulling a seine through fast, deep pools yesterday in a creek in NW 'bama, and wouldn't see anything until just as we pulled the net out.

Howdy, neighbor. Greetings from KY.

You should have some interesting darters in the mountain streams. They're a delight to keep in a tank. Don't usually get over 3-4", sit mostly on the bottom, and they have animated and very curious personalities. You'll find them in fast moving creeks, in shallow water. You won't see them, they spend most of their time under rocks. Just find a creek, put a net down in the riffles, stir up the rocks, and see what turns up in the net. If you go looking in the spring, you'll find darters in breeding colors, and be amazed at how brilliantly colored they are.

Those same streams should produce some pretty shiners and dace, as well, add some movement to the middle and top of the tank.

One thing about fish from these streams, they like cool moving water and lots of O2. That means twice the amount of power filtration that you'd normally have on the tank, and an air stick. Get filters with air cooled motors if possible, you'll want the water as cool as you can get it. Down in the 60's is ideal, low 70's is okay.