January, 2004

Hudson County Technical High School
Explore 2000 Program

The Fine Art of Fish Tagging

Fish tagging takes lots of patience and hard work!

 Many people don’t have a clue on how to fish tag. That’s why we are here to instruct you on the basic and most important steps to fish tagging.

 1. The basic and most important step to fish tagging would be having the proper materials. The proper materials would be:

•  a big stick/needle, about 4 inches long,

• tags,

• and a wet cloth.
  

Tags are provided at local weigh stations, fishing clubs, or you can purchase them from the American Littoral Society in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. 

2. The second step to fish tagging is placing a wet cloth over the fish’s head.

 3. The third step is to place the yellow string into the metal stick/needle.

4. After you place the needle into the fish, tie a knot and clip the excess string.

5. Then place the needle into the fish between the Dorsal fin and the caudal fin but on the lateral line.

 6. When you are finished, carefully place the fish back into the water.

 7. And fill out the information cards that your teacher will provide.

Never do the following:
Never touch the fish with dry hands.
Never leave the fish out of the water for more than a minute.

For more information on fish tagging programs, contact: John Ponticorvo, Explore 2000,  201-369-5563.