Associated data for each of the three survey approaches (adult-juvenile, ichthyoplankton, eDNA) follow on individual tabs. Data rows correspond to individual sampling events. Distinctions are made below where survey approaches differ for the same column header. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Peterson, G., J. Hoffman, A. Trebitz, C. Hatzenbuhler, J. Myers, J. Ross, S. Okum, and E. Pilgrim. Early detection monitoring for non-indigenous fishes; comparison of survey approaches during two species introductions in a Great Lakes port. Biological Invasions. Springer SBM, New York, NY, USA, 463-478, (2022).

U.S Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (LGLFWCO) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Early Detection and Monitoring (EDM) program began in 2012 following the onset of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. This program is apart of a larger basin-wide Great Lakes AIS EDM effort by the USFWS. The goal of this program is to detect novel AIS species (fish and aquatic invertebrates) by sampling a diversity of habitats with a wide array of gear types. Sampling focuses on harbors, rivers and tributaries of the lower Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) as determined by a risk-based prioritization framework for AIS in the Great Lakes. The program is composed of three components of AIS surveillance: juvenile/adult fish, ichthyoplankton (larval fish), and aquatic invertebrates (including crayfish). Sampling strategies and protocols are analyzed and designed to capture the maximum species richness at locations with the assumption that capturing an abundance of species, including singletons and doubletons, could lead to detecting rare novel AIS species if present. Protocols vary depending on the component of the program and descriptions can be found within the metadata of each dataset. This program is adaptive in nature and standardization, although important for comparisons, is not the primary intention of this AIS sampling strategy. Any significant AIS detections are reported to partners following an internal communications protocol.

U.S Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (LGLFWCO) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Early Detection and Monitoring (EDM) program began in 2012 following the onset of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. This program is apart of a larger basin-wide Great Lakes AIS EDM effort by the USFWS. The goal of this program is to detect novel AIS species (fish and aquatic invertebrates) by sampling a diversity of habitats with a wide array of gear types. Sampling focuses on harbors, rivers and tributaries of the lower Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) as determined by a risk-based prioritization framework for AIS in the Great Lakes. The program is composed of three components of AIS surveillance: juvenile/adult fish, ichthyoplankton (larval fish), and aquatic invertebrates (including crayfish). Sampling strategies and protocols are analyzed and designed to capture the maximum species richness at locations with the assumption that capturing an abundance of species, including singletons and doubletons, could lead to detecting rare novel AIS species if present. Protocols vary depending on the component of the program and descriptions can be found within the metadata of each dataset. This program is adaptive in nature and standardization, although important for comparisons, is not the primary intention of this AIS sampling strategy. Any significant AIS detections are reported to partners following an internal communications protocol.

This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) data (field, extraction, and qPCR) for rainbow trout sampling efforts conducted in the Pacific Northwest in 2019. Samples were collected using three eDNA sampling methods. Also included are qPCR data for extraction negatives, no-template controls (NTC), and standard dilutions of rainbow trout gBlock. NTC and gBlock qPCR data were used to calculate maximum uninhibited internal positive control Cq values for each qPCR plate that contained field samples. These values were then used to calculate amplification delay for qPCR replicates of field samples. Data for two environmental covariates not collected in the field (stream discharge and rainbow trout abundance) were obtained from external sources (OBMEP 2020, USGS 2024, WSC 2024).

Annual data are collected as part of smolt trapping operations using fish trapping methods. Traps collect emigrating salmon smolts to identify cohort bio-characteristics, run timing information, as well as enumerating migrating fish.

Vital baseline information on the demersal fish assemblages within the metropolitan area was collected used baited-video stations. The sampling was directed using the knowledge of experienced fishermen, and researchers from the Department of Fisheries and UWA. Recent changes to legislation, banning commercial wetline fishing in the Metropolitan area, have provided an important natural laboratory with which to assess the impacts of fishing on the assemblage of demersal fish. From 5th October 2008 to 12th October 2008 stereo-baited remote underwater video (stereo BRUV) systems were used to sample these areas shown in green in the thumbnail (around Two Rocks). It provides a multi-species measure of the state of the fish community, including length measurements of the fish observed. This data will form an important baseline with which to assess any changes in the community and to investigate whether they are due to changes in fishing pressure or other impacts, such as climate change.

Detecting trends in biological attributes is central to many stream monitoring programs; however, understanding how natural variability in environmental factors affects trend results is not well understood. We evaluated the influence of antecedent streamflow and sample timing (covariates) on trend estimates for fish, invertebrate, and diatom taxa richness and biological condition from 2002 to 2012 at 51 sites distributed across the conterminous United States. This data release contains all of the input and output files necessary to reproduce the results presented and discussed in the associated journal article.

Detecting trends in biological attributes is central to many stream monitoring programs; however, understanding how natural variability in environmental factors affects trend results is not well understood. We evaluated the influence of antecedent streamflow and sample timing (covariates) on trend estimates for fish, invertebrate, and diatom taxa richness and biological condition from 2002 to 2012 at 51 sites distributed across the conterminous United States. This data release contains all of the input and output files necessary to reproduce the results presented and discussed in the associated journal article.

Annual telemetry data are collected as part of specific projects (assessments within watersheds) or as opportunistic efforts to characterize Atlantic salmon smolt migration dynamics. Telemtry projects have since expanded to include the tracking of a variety of non-Atlantic salmon species.