Kick Net Instructions

Get Ready

1. Locate a suitable sample site with flowing water. A current is needed to carry dislodged invertebrates into the net. The ideal location is in flowing water less than boot deep!
   
   
2. Enter the river from downstream of the chosen sample site. Do not disturb the invertebrates by walking through the collection area.

Set the Net

3. One or two people (the "netters") stand behind the net and hold it open to the current.
   
   
4. Face the open net upstream and perpendicular to the current. Be sure that the bottom of the net firmly touches the river bottom to prevent invertebrates from escaping under the net.

Mark the Sample Area

5. Another person ("the kicker") stands beside the sample area but not in it.
   
   
6. The sample area should be estimated at 1 m X 1 m. The "kicker" can mark the upstream distance and downstream boundaries with their feet.

Wash Each Stone

7. The "kicker" starts collecting invertebrates by lifting each large stone in the sample area while brushing the surface of the stones with their hands. The clean stones are set outside the sample area.

The Invertebrate Shuffle

8. After brushing off all the larger stones, the "kicker" now steps into the sample area 1 m directly upstream of the net. For sixty seconds, the "kicker" now twists and kicks their feet to dislodge any invertebrates still hiding in the 1 m2 sample area. The "kicker" should do the invertebrate shuffle from the upstream end of the sample area down towards the net.
   
   
9. The "netters" now scoop up the net at a slight angle to prevent any invertebrates from washing over the top of the net.

Do the Laundry

10. On shore, loosely place the net in a large bucket. Collect river water in pail or basin and use this water to thoroughly wash invertebrates off the net.

Strain the Sample

11. Pour the bucket water through a strainer and onto the ground to concentrate the invertebrate sample. Be sure nothing remains in the bottom of the bucket.
    
12. Hold the strainer upside down over a white basin. Collect a bit of water in the large bucket to wash the invertebrates off the strainer and into the basin.

Sort the Sample

13. With just a shallow layer of water in the basin, use a turkey baster (negative pressure invertebrate extraction device) to remove smaller invertebrates into an ice cube tray (invertebrate isolation chamber). Be sure to squeeze air out of the rubber bulb before placing the tube tip over the invertebrate.
    
    
14. Large invertebrates and minnows should not be sucked into the baster.

Count the Invertebrates

Sorting the sample

15. Use diagrams to identify and count all the invertebrates in the sample. Record the number of each type on the data sheet. When your count is finished, gently release the invertebrates back into the river. Rinse all equipment well.