On behalf of DMR, TNC, and DSF – we wish to thank all the volunteers who participated in and contributed data to the Finding Frost Fish Survey over the last four years.  Your willingness to head out into the winter chill enabled us gather important information on where and when tomcod are spawning in Maine. The winter of 2023-2024 marked the last year of this frosty survey. We invite you to join us this coming spring for our Spawning Smelt Survey to get more boots on the ground and help us better understand how Rainbow Smelt are responding to a changing Gulf of Maine.

This project involves visits to tidal rivers, streams, creeks, and brooks where Tomcod are known or suspected to spawn and recording your observations of fish, bird activity, habitat, and taking pictures. Surveys are conducted either at night to look for spawning tomcod, or during the day to look for bird activity. Tomcod tend to hide in rocky areas, so bird activity (fish-eating birds diving for food) is a good indicator of Tomcod presence. We are as interested in where you don’t see fish and birds as we are in knowing where you do, so please share your data no matter what!

Please work in pairs or teams of 3-4, dress warmly, follow social distancing protocols, and be safe.

Required training(s):

• Volunteers must complete a Tomcod Citizen Science survey training prior to participation, or have prior professional experience to be excused from training by regional coordinators. Contact danielle.frechette@maine.gov for more information.
• Volunteers must comply with safety guidelines and instructions (see below)

Safety guidelines

Your safety is the top priority.

These surveys are best undertaken by teams of three or four people. This will facilitate better decision making in challenging situations and more rigorous recording data.

Take data seriously and carefully, but make estimates if necessary for your safety. Note this in your field notes.

Recommendations for safe field work (Short):

• Do your field work with a partner or in a team following appropriate social distancing protocols.
• Choose sites that are easily accessible. Discuss with your regional coordinator if you have questions.
• Bring a flashlight when working at night. Wear light or reflective clothing if working near a road. Take care when parking and exiting your vehicle.
• Move cautiously near streams. Expect icy, slippery, uneven, or mucky footing. Stay low.
• Do not walk in streams (fishing regulations prohibit this).
• Marine clay, which is inevitable and abundant in tidal habitats, is extremely slippery.
• Check closely for ticks after each field day.
• Watch out for poison ivy, which is common on roadsides and upland salt marsh edges.

Tips for completing the Survey Data Form

Overall instructions:

• Do not step into the stream at any point during your survey data collection, this disturbs the habitat, wildlife, and could alter your survey results.
• Only observe what you can see standing on the bank of the stream looking upstream and downstream. There is no need to walk up and down the stream bank recording data.
• Most tomcod can be found during high tide. It is best to visit streams close to the night time high tide, when the tomcod are active in the streams for spawning.
• Ideally, this should be done once a week, from December 15th to January 15th. The height of the run may last only a few nights and depends on many factors, so it is important to visit the stream regularly until the run is complete.

Finding Tomcod

• Walk down to the streambed with your team and flashlight after sunset.
• Tomcod tend to hide in rocky areas. Look in open waters only, as you will not be able to see tomcod in ice or slush conditions.
• While standing on the bank facing across the river, periodically shine your flashlight over the open water to see the Tomcod. Note: that if you shine the light continually the Tomcod will swim away.
• Estimate number of Tomcod seen. Take 5 minutes to let your eyes adjust and to let fish get used to you. Remain quiet/still and watch for fish. Shine your flashlight into the river and count the number of tomcod you see in the stream immediately in front of you. Report your estimate in 10’s, 100s or 1000s. For example, if you count 2 fish, circle 10s. If you count 75 fish, circle 100s.

Looking for Bird Activity

• During the daytime, find a spot near a river below the head of tide, but above a bay/ocean environment.
• Look for waterfowl activity with the naked eye or binoculars. Watch bird activity for at least five minutes.
• Pay special attention to any birds actively diving and/or capturing fish.