The data released are associated with an examination of eDNA from round goby fish (Neogobius melanostomus) in a series of field sample collections (lake nearshore and stream transport) and in vitro laboratory experiments. The round goby was used as a model for our source of eDNA in the field collections and mesocosm experiments. The field samples for lake nearshore (water and sediment) were collected from two Lake Michigan shoreline locations (Portage Lakefront, Portage, Indiana and Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana) to examine the detectability of eDNA, the influence of sediment on eDNA estimates, and eDNA spatial and temporal resolution. The field samples for stream transport (water) were collected from Brown Ditch, a Lake Michigan stream, and were used to model and test eDNA transport. Rates for eDNA shedding and decay in water and sediment were developed using in vitro laboratory experiments and provided a comparison of eDNA behavior (persistence and degradation) and detection in water and sediment.

This data set is associated with an examination of environmental DNA (eDNA) from the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in parallel with traditional fish surveys in the Great Lakes. Data resulting from bottom trawling surveys and angler hook and line methods include round goby fish count and biomass at different depths and seasons at multiple sites of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan (trawls), and breakwall locations of Lake Michigan at Portage Lakefront, Portage, Indiana and Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana (angling). Data from eDNA water samples targeting round goby were analyzed by two molecular methods: droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR); eDNA copy numbers are presented for both these methods separately.

This data set is associated with an examination of environmental DNA (eDNA) from the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in parallel with traditional fish surveys in the Great Lakes. Data resulting from bottom trawling surveys and angler hook and line methods include round goby fish count and biomass at different depths and seasons at multiple sites of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan (trawls), and breakwall locations of Lake Michigan at Portage Lakefront, Portage, Indiana and Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana (angling). Data from eDNA water samples targeting round goby were analyzed by two molecular methods: droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR); eDNA copy numbers are presented for both these methods separately.

Data included are from a series of field sample collections from Lakes Michigan and Huron, and laboratory mesocosms targeting the round goby fish (Neogobius melanostomus). The round goby is a benthic fish that has heavily invaded four of the five Laurentian Great Lakes. Because it inhabits a variety of substrates, including coastal breakwaters, traditional methods (e.g., trawling, trapping) are inadequate to quantify overall population size. Environmental DNA (eDNA) may be a viable option for improving detection and quantification of the species. Field data include number of round goby caught and associated ambient conditions of the aquatic matrix (temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen). Mesocosm data include information about mesocosm test (DNA shedding, decay), information about the individual fish used (length, weight), ambient conditions of the aqueous matrix (pH, turbidity). Data from laboratory testing of both field and mesocosm water include results from quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method for detection of round goby-specific DNA (DNA quality, quantity). Data are being used to correlate round goby individuals with eDNA present in the water and to calculate rates of DNA shedding by the round goby and rates of DNA decay.

Data included are from a series of field sample collections from Lakes Michigan and Huron, and laboratory mesocosms targeting the round goby fish (Neogobius melanostomus). The round goby is a benthic fish that has heavily invaded four of the five Laurentian Great Lakes. Because it inhabits a variety of substrates, including coastal breakwaters, traditional methods (e.g., trawling, trapping) are inadequate to quantify overall population size. Environmental DNA (eDNA) may be a viable option for improving detection and quantification of the species. Field data include number of round goby caught and associated ambient conditions of the aquatic matrix (temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen). Mesocosm data include information about mesocosm test (DNA shedding, decay), information about the individual fish used (length, weight), ambient conditions of the aqueous matrix (pH, turbidity). Data from laboratory testing of both field and mesocosm water include results from quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method for detection of round goby-specific DNA (DNA quality, quantity). Data are being used to correlate round goby individuals with eDNA present in the water and to calculate rates of DNA shedding by the round goby and rates of DNA decay.

This dataset is associated with an examination of environmental DNA (eDNA) from the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in parallel with visual surveys of fish count and size conducted by scuba divers in four Great Lakes: Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Round goby inhabits benthic areas, and it is known to have direct contact with the bottom substrate as it feeds on dreissenid mussels. Considering this, eDNA samples were derived from multiple substrates: lake bottom water, sediment, and benthic algae; each manually collected by scuba divers from 3 or 6-meter depths and eight distinct transects. eDNA samples were analyzed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and results are expressed as DNA Copy Numbers (CN) per 1 mL of water or per 1 gram of wet weight of sediment or benthic algae. All eDNA samples for this dataset were collected alongside a larger body of work conducted in 2022 (https://doi.org/10.5066/P13JDUMH) and relate to multiple years of work at these stations that includes: algal and dreissenid mussel biomass, water quality assessments, and diver observations of dreissenid mussels, round gobies, benthic substrate, and benthic algal cover. We refer to the benthic algae also as the 'Cladophora community' and 'submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV)' in other published project data, which were collected starting in 2018 (Great Lakes Science Center, 2018).

This dataset contains quantitative results of environmental DNA water samples from a diverse set of aquatic habitats, including small creeks in Idaho and Montana, a large river in Wisconsin, and an experimental pond in Florida. The frequency of daily sampling was randomly assigned, without duplication, each week to one of four levels: one survey event per day, two survey events per day every 6 hr, three survey events per day every 4 hr, and four survey events per day every 3 hr.

Data represent physical (water quality) and biological (fish, macroinvertebrate, and vegetation community) collections as indicators for Pool 1A and the Maankiki Marsh North and South units at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw, MI, USA. The Maankiki North and South units were recently reconnected to the Shiawassee River in 2018, whereas Pool 1A represents a historically reconnected wetland. All data were collected in 2020.

Data represent physical (water quality) and biological (fish, macroinvertebrate, and vegetation community) collections as indicators for Pool 1A and the Maankiki Marsh North and South units at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw, MI, USA. The Maankiki North and South units were recently reconnected to the Shiawassee River in 2018, whereas Pool 1A represents a historically reconnected wetland. All data were collected in 2020.

The U.S Geological Survey conducted hydrographic surveys from September 13-16, 2021 to monitor fish spawning substrate placements (reefs) in the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, MI. A multibeam echosounder was used from the Great Lakes Science Center research vessel Cisco to collect hydrographic data. These data were used to generate maps of river bottom topography in locations where spawning substrates have been placed. The reefs surveyed in the Detroit River included: Fort Wayne, New (East) Belle Isle, Belle Isle, and Grassy Island. The reefs surveyed in the St. Clair River included: Middle Channel, Pointe Aux Chenes, and Harts Light. The data for each study reach were produced in LAS format supported by most geospatial software.