Providing education in fisheries is my passion!
Walleye (Sander vitreus)
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Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
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Cedar's smile says it all! This is why I love teaching fish ID. Thanks to Fred Noddin and Melanie Patchell for their photo!
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School of Fish provides technical skills in the identification of Alberta and Saskatchewan fish.
Through this School, I want to create a group of people who are passionate about fisheries education. For more about School of Fish, you can contact Shona Derlukewich using the links below or go to the Drop Us a Line page! 
Blackmud Creek, 2010, Golder Associates Education Day! My dad listening intently in the background (red shirt). My parents, my biggest supporters, I cannot thank you enough for supporting my crazy journey!
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Shout out to all the girls that are dedicated to fishing! Thanks to Alison Heslep for this great photo of her daughter!
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Mission
Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
I am a fish fanatic that loves the Esox lucius (Northern Pike) and I am dedicated to fish education. This includes another one of my school of fish favourites, the Cyprinids (Minnows), by instructing and providing my extensive field knowledge to all.
Now, I have caught my dream job and I am hooked.
I am very excited to educate anglers and biologists with interest in
Alberta and Saskatchewan fishes.
Together we can provide mentorship, stewardship, and awareness to ignite the passion in all fellow fish fanatics and conservationists.
Now, I have caught my dream job and I am hooked.
I am very excited to educate anglers and biologists with interest in
Alberta and Saskatchewan fishes.
Together we can provide mentorship, stewardship, and awareness to ignite the passion in all fellow fish fanatics and conservationists.
Why is Fish Identification Important?
Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
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Fishes of Alberta and Saskatchewan - Field Identification Workshops are for anglers, biologists and outdoor adventure people of all ages who have an interest in the fascinating world of fish. Unique characteristics define many of our fish and understanding the key features, similarities between species, and distribution will help save them from a wrong ID. To understand the value of the fish species, first, you should be introduced to all the fish in Alberta and Saskatchewan. But what happens when you identify it wrong? What happens when anglers keep a “Threatened” fish by accident? Education is the keystone concept to help protect and promote future fish conservation behaviours. Over my 18 year career, I started out misidentifying numerous fish and I have learned many valuable lessons. My passion for saving all fish, especially cyprinids (minnow) species, developed significantly from my past mistakes. I feel obligated to protect the fish and the watershed they call home by promoting education and stewardship. I want to pass along my skills in fish identification and I wish to inspire confidence in those who also want to protect their fish and ecosystem. It all starts with understanding the key identification features of the fish you are observing. Then you can help save the species. |
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In 2015, I had an opportunity to interview with the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB) on my career as a Biology Technologist (page 9). Then after obtaining my Professional Biologist designation in 2018, I had the pleasure to provide the update "The dream that turned into a reality" in 2019 (page 9).
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In Alberta, I was excited to be apart of the Master Naturalist Program with the City of Edmonton in 2015 and I provided a fish identification workshop. This included participant interactions by setting minnow traps and identifying species captured to educate other Master Naturalist members. Paul Gregg, fellow Master Naturalist, published the story through the Nature Edmonton.
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Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
