The first lab of the semester, September 5, will be devoted to
getting acquainted with external fish anatomy, use of
identification keys, and representatives of families of local
fishes to be encountered in the field. Weather permitting, the
following four lab periods will be spent in the field at the
Saline River, Raisin River, Cedar Lake, and Fleming Creek. Vans
will depart from in front of the Dana Building 10 minutes after
the end of lecture. Students may pick up waders from the lab
in the basement, on the way to the vans.
An inexpensive lab "Guide to Michigan non-game fishes" is
available at Michigan Document on Church Street around the corner
from the Brown Jug. This booklet provides pictures, identifying
features, and distribution maps for local nongame fish
species.
The lab grade will be based on a final practical exam in which
students will be asked to identify species seen during the
semester and to provide information about their common name,
genus and species names, family, and habitat.