Data represent reports of capture of black carp by commercial fishers and biologists with information regarding size characteristics of collected individuals, dimensions of capture gears, and spatial and temporal distributions of captures.

Black Carp collections (n=534) by commercial fishers, biologists, and recreational anglers from the Mississippi River basin recorded from 2018 to 2022 are reported here. Geographic coordinates, total length (TL), weight, girth, date of capture, sex, and gear were recorded. Total length was measured from the tip of the snout to the longest caudal fin ray with the caudal fin lobes pinched. Girth was measured as the circumference of the fish anterior of the dorsal fin, representing wedge capture in passive gears. When provided by fishers, the gear dimensions such as the diameter, mesh, and bait used for hoop nets, and mesh size of gill nets were recorded.

Black Carp collections (n=534) by commercial fishers, biologists, and recreational anglers from the Mississippi River basin recorded from 2018 to 2022 are reported here. Geographic coordinates, total length (TL), weight, girth, date of capture, sex, and gear were recorded. Total length was measured from the tip of the snout to the longest caudal fin ray with the caudal fin lobes pinched. Girth was measured as the circumference of the fish anterior of the dorsal fin, representing wedge capture in passive gears. When provided by fishers, the gear dimensions such as the diameter, mesh, and bait used for hoop nets, and mesh size of gill nets were recorded.

Data consists of ploidy, otolith stable isotope analysis and microchemistry, age, weight, sex, length and geolocation data from wild caught black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) captured in the Mississippi River basin from 2011 through 2018.

Data consists of ploidy, otolith stable isotope analysis and microchemistry, age, weight, sex, length and geolocation data from wild caught black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) captured in the Mississippi River basin from 2011 through 2018.

A total of 236 Black Carp were collected throughout the year from 2017-2019 by incidental captures of commercial fishers and biologists. Capture date, river basin of capture location, and coordinates were recorded for each Black Carp captured. A subsample of 119 Black Carp varying from 429-1268 millimeters total length were compared for the precision of annuli counts by two experienced readers for the ossified two anterior pectoral fin rays, the ossified anterior dorsal fin ray, sectioned vertebrae, and lapilli otoliths for selection of a single structure based on percent exact agreement, coefficient of variation, and age-frequency plots.

A total of 236 Black Carp were collected throughout the year from 2017-2019 by incidental captures of commercial fishers and biologists. Capture date, river basin of capture location, and coordinates were recorded for each Black Carp captured. A subsample of 119 Black Carp varying from 429-1268 millimeters total length were compared for the precision of annuli counts by two experienced readers for the ossified two anterior pectoral fin rays, the ossified anterior dorsal fin ray, sectioned vertebrae, and lapilli otoliths for selection of a single structure based on percent exact agreement, coefficient of variation, and age-frequency plots.

Image and biometric data were collected for 22 species of fish from Great Lakes Tributaries in Michigan and Ohio, and the Illinois River for the purpose of developing a fish identification classifier. Data consists of a comma delimited spreadsheet that identifies image file names and associated fish identification number, common name, species code, family name, genus, and species, date collected, river from which each fish was collected, location of sampling, fish fork length in millimeters, girth in millimeters, weight in kilograms, and personnel involved with image collection. Biometric data are saved as .csv comma delimited format and image files are saved as .png file type.

Image and biometric data were collected for 22 species of fish from Great Lakes Tributaries in Michigan and Ohio, and the Illinois River for the purpose of developing a fish identification classifier. Data consists of a comma delimited spreadsheet that identifies image file names and associated fish identification number, common name, species code, family name, genus, and species, date collected, river from which each fish was collected, location of sampling, fish fork length in millimeters, girth in millimeters, weight in kilograms, and personnel involved with image collection. Biometric data are saved as .csv comma delimited format and image files are saved as .png file type.

Black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus and grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella are morphologically similar species imported from eastern Asia to North America as biological control organisms. Preferred identification methods are coloration and pharyngeal tooth form. Grass carp possess serrated teeth and black carp molariform teeth. Examination of pharyngeal teeth causes extensive damage to a specimen, and is labor and time intensive. Coloration can vary within a species and fades with preservation. We present a suite of external characteristics consisting of a truss network canonical variate analysis of distance measurements among landmarks on the lateral view of the head of each fish, the ratio of head length to mouth width, anterior lateral line angles among scales, and the visible presence of the premaxilla viewed from the dorsum that can be applied for identification.