This data release links fish survey data from a suite of programs in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to the NHDPlus High Resolution Region 02 networks, hereafter referred to as NHDPlusHR. The data set contains site name, survey program, coordinates of sample, ancillary information such as sample date and site location information where available, and HR Permanent Identifier. It also includes a confidence classification category for each of NHD assignment based on a set of pre-determined rules. In total there were 15 confidence categories ranging from high confidence to low confidence. We caution the use of sampling points which were given anything other than "high" confidence in their assignment to a given NHD catchment/flowline to avoid spurious/inappropriate attribution of geospatial data to fish data samples represented herein and refer the potential user to the Confidence Dictionary.csv which describes the criteria for each confidence category.

The dataset is composed of two data tables containing information from boat electrofishing surveys of two tributaries to Lake Ontario, Eighteenmile Creek and Oak Orchard Creek during June 2019. The first data table contains fish collection information and the second data table contains information on the sampled reaches.

This data release contains predictions of selected  fish community metrics and fish species occurrence using Random Forest models with landscape data for inland reaches across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW). Predictions were made at four time intervals (2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016) according to changes in landcover using the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). The fish sampling data used to compute these metrics were compiled from various fish sampling programs conducted by state and federal agencies, county governments, universities, and river basin commissions across the watershed. Community metrics describe composition, tolerances, habitat preferences, and functional traits of fish communities (and were derived from Krause and Maloney, 2021). Community analyses were developed for four aggregated Level III ecoregions: Northern Appalachians (NAP), Southern Appalachians [split into two sub-regions; the SAP-Piedmont (Piedmont and Northern Piedmont Ecoregions; SAPPIED] and other ecoregions [SAPNW]) and the Coastal Plains (CPL), and a final index was calculated for each ecoregion as the average of selected metric deciles with higher scores inferring less biologically altered (i.e., better) conditions. Species distribution models were created for key sensitive and gamefish species (including Brook Trout, Northern Hog Sucker, Smallmouth Bass, and Torrent Sucker) to predict species occurrence. Uncertainty was calculated for both approaches using model prediction intervals. For complete data descriptions and data interpretation see associated publication (Maloney et al., 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108488).

This data release contains predictions of selected  fish community metrics and fish species occurrence using Random Forest models with landscape data for inland reaches across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW). Predictions were made at four time intervals (2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016) according to changes in landcover using the National Land Cover Database (NLCD). The fish sampling data used to compute these metrics were compiled from various fish sampling programs conducted by state and federal agencies, county governments, universities, and river basin commissions across the watershed. Community metrics describe composition, tolerances, habitat preferences, and functional traits of fish communities (and were derived from Krause and Maloney, 2021). Community analyses were developed for four aggregated Level III ecoregions: Northern Appalachians (NAP), Southern Appalachians [split into two sub-regions; the SAP-Piedmont (Piedmont and Northern Piedmont Ecoregions; SAPPIED] and other ecoregions [SAPNW]) and the Coastal Plains (CPL), and a final index was calculated for each ecoregion as the average of selected metric deciles with higher scores inferring less biologically altered (i.e., better) conditions. Species distribution models were created for key sensitive and gamefish species (including Brook Trout, Northern Hog Sucker, Smallmouth Bass, and Torrent Sucker) to predict species occurrence. Uncertainty was calculated for both approaches using model prediction intervals. For complete data descriptions and data interpretation see associated publication (Maloney et al., 2022; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.108488).

Community composition data from multi-pass electrofishing surveys for assessing fish populations in headwater streams of the Adirondack Mountains, New York, USA. Each row represents one individual fish. This spreadsheet contains 11 columns. The first 7 columns describe the data (year collected, local site ID, stream name, latitude, longitude, USGS site number, and electrofishing pass number) and the remaining 4 columns describe each individual fish (common name, scientific name, total length (mm) and weight (g)). These data support the following publication: Baldigo, B.P., Sporn, L.A., George, S.D., and Ball, Jacob, in press. Efficacy of environmental DNA to detect and quantify Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, populations in streams of the Adirondack Mountains, New York. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. na, na; http://dx.doi.org/10.1577/.

The dataset is composed of two data tables containing information from electrofishing surveys conducted in streams of the Adirondack region. The first data table contains information on the sampled reaches and the second data table contains fish collection information. Historical data (1979-1999) were collected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and contemporary data (2020) were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The dataset is composed of two data tables containing information from electrofishing surveys conducted in streams of the Adirondack region. The first data table contains information on the sampled reaches and the second data table contains fish collection information. Historical data (1979-1999) were collected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and contemporary data (2020) were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey.

From 31 May to 29 June, 2022, a Virginia Tech team of 4-5 sampled the fish community in 30 Delmarva streams (Maryland and Delaware, USA) as part of a larger stream-health study including other teams who surveyed geomorphology, water quality, flow, temperature, macroinvertebrates, and fish health at the same 30 streams. These 30 Chesapeake Bay Watershed tributaries had upstream drainage areas of 9 to 54 sq. km. At each stream, we sampled fish from two reaches using two-pass backpack electrofishing and seining. Reach A was the main reach surveyed by all the interdisciplinary teams; Reach B was surveyed for fish communities only. Reach length was 20 wetted channel widths, capped at 150 meters. Fish were identified to species, assigned to a length class, inspected for anomalies, and released. Other measurements included water temperature, electrical conductivity, and clarity, and streambed area comprising pool, riffle, and run habitats.

From 31 May to 29 June, 2022, a Virginia Tech team of 4-5 sampled the fish community in 30 Delmarva streams (Maryland and Delaware, USA) as part of a larger stream-health study including other teams who surveyed geomorphology, water quality, flow, temperature, macroinvertebrates, and fish health at the same 30 streams. These 30 Chesapeake Bay Watershed tributaries had upstream drainage areas of 9 to 54 sq. km. At each stream, we sampled fish from two reaches using two-pass backpack electrofishing and seining. Reach A was the main reach surveyed by all the interdisciplinary teams; Reach B was surveyed for fish communities only. Reach length was 20 wetted channel widths, capped at 150 meters. Fish were identified to species, assigned to a length class, inspected for anomalies, and released. Other measurements included water temperature, electrical conductivity, and clarity, and streambed area comprising pool, riffle, and run habitats.

These data include estimates of landcover and land use characteristics including high phytoestrogen crop cover, estimated pesticide applications, EPA PFAS facilities, nutrients from biosolids, and select climate (temperature and precipitation) variables summarized for several fish health sites in the eastern United States.