Spring Pike Index Netting (SPIN) Box Canyon Reservoir

The Spring Pike Index Netting (SPIN) survey is a gill-net survey conducted on an annual basis to monitor the northern pike population in Box Canyon Reservoir. Gill netting is the standard method used to sample northern pike throughout their range, both native and non-native, across the country. Nets used in the SPIN survey are specifically designed to capture northern pike that are 14 inches and larger. This survey provides biologists with an precise representation of size structure, condition, sex ratio, and relative abundance of northern pike in the reservoir. Because the nets are designed specifically to catch northern pike, this survey results in relatively little bycatch (other species of fish captured in the gill nets).