# Choose a Fish Study Activity

Part of the Fish and Wildlife Management Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/fish-and-wildlife-management/guide/index.md)

*7. Fish Study Techniques*

> **7.** Do ONE of the following:

Requirement 7 puts you directly into the world of fisheries science — actual techniques used by professional biologists to study fish populations. Choose the one that fits your location and interests:

- **[Req 7a — Fish Aging from Scales](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/fish-and-wildlife-management/guide/req7a/)**: Read scale samples to determine the age of five fish species, or identify age classes in a lake population. Requires fish and a hand lens or microscope — often available at a local hatchery or through your counselor.
- **[Req 7b — Creel Census](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/fish-and-wildlife-management/guide/req7b/)**: Interview anglers at a boat launch or fishing area to estimate catch-per-unit-effort for a lake. A real field data collection method used by state fisheries agencies.
- **[Req 7c — Fish Stomach Contents](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/fish-and-wildlife-management/guide/req7c/)**: Examine the stomach contents of three fish and record what they've been eating — no fishing required.
- **[Req 7d — Freshwater Aquarium](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/fish-and-wildlife-management/guide/req7d/)**: Build a native-species freshwater aquarium with plants and animals. Observe for 60 days and discuss life cycles, food chains, and management needs. The most time-intensive option but deeply educational.

## How to Choose

**Choosing Your Fish Study Activity** — Consider these factors

- [ ] **Access to fish**: 7a and 7c require access to actual fish (hatchery, caught, or donated). 7b requires a public fishing area with anglers present. 7d requires collecting native aquatic species.
- [ ] **Equipment**: 7a may require a hand lens or low-power microscope. 7b requires only a clipboard and pencil. 7c requires dissection tools. 7d requires an aquarium and setup.
- [ ] **Time**: 7d requires 60 days of observation. 7a, 7b, and 7c can be completed in a day or two.
- [ ] **Availability of help**: Your counselor may have connections to a state hatchery (useful for 7a and 7c) or know good locations for a creel census (7b).

> **Tip**
>
> If you're unsure which option to choose, contact your merit badge counselor first — they may have connections to a local hatchery or fisheries biologist who can help you with 7a or 7c, which are often the most interesting options but the hardest to do independently.

Select your option and head to that page for detailed guidance.

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- Previous: [Wildlife Scrapbook](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/fish-and-wildlife-management/guide/req6c/index.md)
- Next: [Fish Aging from Scales](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/fish-and-wildlife-management/guide/req7a/index.md)