Ontario Fish Identification Workshops | Royal Ontario Museum

If you are a fisheries biologist or a student registered in a fisheries biology program, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Department of Natural History, provides an opportunity to improve your fish identification skills.

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

These workshops are designed primarily for professionals, technicians, field biologists, and environmental consultants, but other interested individuals - including university and college students - are welcome.

Workshops will be offered in April and May 2026, at the University of Guelph Science Complex (unless otherwise noted).

REGISTRATION COMING end of January 2026.

A variety of courses are being offered this year:

Three-day introductory workshop that will cover the broad array of Ontario fish families and provide an opportunity to develop specialized knowledge of a group of interest
Four-day introductory workshop that will cover the same information as the three-day introductory workshop but has an additional day in the field (Marden Lake/Eramosa River) with Jason Barnucz and Robin Gaspardy from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and ROM staff. A presentation on preservation, documentation, photographing and sampling tissues for genetic studies will also be given in the field.
Two-day workshop on fish species-at-risk in Ontario
Two-day workshop on Great Lakes invasive fish species
Three-day workshop on Ontario carps and minnows, including the families: Cyprinidae, Leuciscidae, Tincidae, and Xenocyprididae.

Full details will be supplied to registered participants in advance of each workshop.

These workshops are offered in English Only.

Important Information

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

4-Day Introductory Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 1: 3-Day Introductory Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 1: Great Lakes Invasive Fishes Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

3-Day Minnows and Carps Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 2: Great Lakes Invasive Fishes Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 2: 3-Day Introductory Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

2-Day Species-at-Risk Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

4-Day Introductory Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 1: 3-Day Introductory Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 1: Great Lakes Invasive Fishes Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

3-Day Minnows and Carps Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 2: Great Lakes Invasive Fishes Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

Session 2: 3-Day Introductory Workshop

Two women examine a fish at an identification workshop.

Ontario Fish Identification Workshops

2-Day Species-at-Risk Workshop

Team Hagfish in a lab

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2 participants doing research

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Group of people in the workshop gathered around table

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Screen projection of fish with people sitting at table doing work

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Rules & Guidelines

These workshops are offered in English Only.

Three happy people look up at an ornate golden ceiling as one person points out a detail.

Urban Capers Scavenger Hunts

Members receive a $15 discount* on Urban Capers Scavenger Hunts at ROM. Solve a murder mystery in the classic caper, Intrigue at the Museum. Track down a missing explorer in a brand-new hunt, The Adventures of Indie Santiago. Gather your team and don your detective caps because tickets for public weekend hunts are on sale now.

Tours

Enjoy guided Museum tours exclusively for Members on themes from climate change to ancient civilizations.

3 children with crowns enjoying birthday party celebrated at ROM

This Saturday version of our popular Summer Club program provides supervised, hands-on educational activities, art projects, science experiments, and more. ROM's fascinating galleries, authentic objects and outstanding professional staff guarantee that your camp experience will be hard to beat! Every fall, winter and spring children will enjoy eight Saturdays of fun-filled, educational adventures in ROM's inspiring galleries.

Three happy people look up at an ornate golden ceiling as one person points out a detail.

Urban Capers Scavenger Hunts

Members receive a $15 discount* on Urban Capers Scavenger Hunts at ROM. Solve a murder mystery in the classic caper, Intrigue at the Museum. Track down a missing explorer in a brand-new hunt, The Adventures of Indie Santiago. Gather your team and don your detective caps because tickets for public weekend hunts are on sale now.

Tours

Enjoy guided Museum tours exclusively for Members on themes from climate change to ancient civilizations.

3 children with crowns enjoying birthday party celebrated at ROM

This Saturday version of our popular Summer Club program provides supervised, hands-on educational activities, art projects, science experiments, and more. ROM's fascinating galleries, authentic objects and outstanding professional staff guarantee that your camp experience will be hard to beat! Every fall, winter and spring children will enjoy eight Saturdays of fun-filled, educational adventures in ROM's inspiring galleries.

Workshop in gallery