SCDNR Blog

The official blog of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Meet the 2021 SCDNR Freshwater Fisheries Interns

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Meet the 2021 S.C. Department of Natural Resources freshwater fisheries interns! Each of these college students has been assigned to different SCDNR fish hatcheries and regional offices across the state. These interns will play a vital role in the management of our state’s fishery resources. The training program is designed to give real-world experiences in the field.

They’ll take part in electrofishing, gillnetting, fish propagation, fish stocking, creel surveys, fish passage assessment, habitat improvements, river and stream sampling, fish aging (otoliths), telemetry, hydroacoustics, water quality monitoring, outreach, boat and trailer maintenance.

 

 

2021 SCDNR Freshwater Fisheries Interns

Font Row: Hayden Bennett (Aquatic Education, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College); Madison Harris (Research, Clemson University); Tori Long (Mussels, USC); Sarah Armstrong (Walhalla, Ohio Northern University); Dean Wrobel (Coastal Carolina University); Harper Jackson (Region 2, Florence, Francis Marion University); Gabrielle Rougheaux (Diadromous, University of Montpellier (in France)); Kaitlyn Dozler (Dennis Center Hatchery, University of Nebraska, Lincoln); Emily Klimczak (Diadromous, State University of New York) Back Row: Will Crowson (Cohen Campbell Hatchery, USC – Beaufort); Wyatt Sipple (Cheraw Hatchery, University of Rio Grande); Hal Edwards (Region 1, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point); Aiden Maddux (Region 2, Rock Hill, University of Georgia); Ryan Hessong (Region 3, USC); Robert Robinson (Region 4, The Citadel); Chad Powell (Diadromous, Francis Marion University).

Many college students have shared their research and their stories about about their SCDNR internships right here on  http://www.SouthCarolinaWild.org. Check out a couple of the stories written by freshwater fisheries interns:

Wading with the Stream Team by Amber Zonka

During her internship, Amber Zonka became familiar with identifying sunfish, chubs, bass, suckers, shiners and catfish. “I learned to take notice of the smallest details to identify fish, such as the sunfish’s green anal fin compared to the bright, blood-orange chest of a redbreast sunfish, or the straight lips on a brassy jumprock compared to the indented lips of a notchlip redhorse.”

 

My Internship with the SCDNR’s Freshwater Fisheries Team by Zach Crum

Zach worked alongside SCDNR fisheries biologists during the spring electrofishing survey on South Carolina’s state lakes. In this photo he proudly holds up two bass at Chester state park , both fish weighing about 5 pounds.

To learn more about SCDNR Freshwater Fisheries Management Summer Internship Programs, visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/admin/internshipsFF.html