This dataset represents fish targets (presumed Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) recorded using Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS; Sound Metrics, Bellevue, WA) in five backwater embayments of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, KY (2022 February). A surface-to-bottom block net was set across embayments in a “chevron” shape pointed upstream to guide fish movements downstream through net openings (about 15 m wide) along each shoreline and within sonar range for quantification. Fish targets were enumerated then subsampled for length measurement using a systematic random approach.

Invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) occur in large regions of the Mississippi River drainage, outcompete native species, and are notorious for their prolific jumping behavior. Juvenile and adult (up to 25 kg) carp are known to jump up to 3 m above the water surface in response to moving watercraft. Broadband sound recorded from an outboard motor (100 hp at 32 km/hr) can modulate their behavior in captivity; however, the response of wild silver carp to broadband sound has yet to be determined. This data set includes information regarding the sound produced by outboard motor and speakers in the field and will help in determining effectiveness of the usage of control techniques in the management of carps.

A total of 83 Grass Carp and 92 Silver Carp were collected monthly from stocked ponds at Columbia Environmental Research Center. Length, weight, and collection date were recorded. The dorsal-fin rays and lapilli otoliths were collected from these specimens for the purpose of aging. An additional set of dorsal-fin rays and lapilli otoliths from Grass Carp collected in Truman Reservoir (GNIS 758286) on 20170820 and from Silver Carp collected in Mallard Lake (38.7013, -90.4949) on 20171102 were included to decrease bias. Annuli counts on all structures were completed by two experienced readers for the purpose of validating the first annulus. Two experienced readers measured all the structures collected from research ponds for the purpose of determining when annuli emerge. These results were used to determine when a fish would be considered age 1 for the purpose of this study. Measurements from the center of a structure to the edge and from the beginning of an annulus to the edge were completed. Percentage of structures aged correctly was calculated based off presence or absence of a known annulus on a structure rather than basing age off calendar date and considering fish to be age 1 after January 1. Formation of false annuli was observed consistently among both lapilli otoliths and dorsal-fin rays. The false annuli appeared to form during the capture event of the Silver Carp that were stocked into research ponds and used for this study. The presence of these false annuli effected precision of age estimates as they were frequently mis-labeled as annuli. Marginal increment analysis was utilized to validate the formation of false annuli.

This data contains the mean and standard deviations for movement rates for silver carp in the upper Mississippi River 2014 and 2021. The data are summaries of the posterior distribution from a Bayesian multistate model described in Stanton et al. 2024 (https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17834).

The dataset consists of count data derived from a series of sonar images. The data are fish counts per image from 1) a computerized process to extract fish counts, and 2) three manual assessors. Each image has a total of four associated fish counts.

This study deployed acoustic telemetry at the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) in lock #2 and the upstream and downstream pools in Kaukauna, WI to document movements and behavior of telemetered fish species in response to injection of carbon dioxide. Telemetry equipment was setup in the test area for approximately 2 months during the summer of 2019. CSV metadata includes telemetry data with position estimates for fish during this time.

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are an invasive species in the Mississippi River Basin; understanding their vulnerability to predation as juveniles may inform control by native predators and predator stocking. Digestion of silver carp recovered from diets makes it difficult to determine the size classes most vulnerable to predation by native fishes. The objective of this study was to determine if total length of silver carp can be predicted from the size of their chewing pad, pharyngeal teeth, and pharyngeal arch, the structures most often found intact in diets. Juvenile silver carp (n=136: <180 mm) were collected using 60 hz pulsed- DC electrofishing and mini fyke nets in 2014 and 2015 from the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River. We dissected silver carp chewing pads (n= 136 fish) and pharyngeal teeth (n=127 fish) and measured chewing pad length and width, eight reproducible pharyngeal teeth landmarks, and four reproducible pharyngeal arch landmarks to the nearest 0.01 mm. Using simple linear regression we found that there is a strong predictive relationship between chewing pad, pharyngeal teeth, pharyngeal arch measurements and total length of silver carp. Chewing pad length and width were stronger predictors of silver carp length (r2= 0.94) than pharyngeal teeth (r2= 0.87), but both structures can be used to estimate silver carp total length.

The invasive carp environmental DNA (eDNA) sample data was collected and processed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and is used for the early detection and monitoring of invasive carp. The reportable eDNA detection summary data along with static maps are shared with the public along with a public facing ArcGIS Online Feature layer, Web Map, and Dashboard. For further information on data collection and processing please refer to the Quality Assurance Project Plan eDNA Monitoring of Bighead and Silver Carps (see files and links). Additional information on the Invasive carp eDNA program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found on the Whitney Genetics Lab Facility web page (see files and links). A positive eDNA detection result means there was invasive carp eDNA in the water body, which can be from live or dead fish, but it could have also been transported via boat, bird, or water current. A positive eDNA detection does not necessarily mean there were invasive carp present at the time samples were taken. For more information or questions, please contact the eDNA Program Coordinator, Nick Frohnauer at (nicholas_frohnauer@fws.gov). Complete ISO 19115 FGDC metadata can be found under the hosted view feature layer on the FWS AGOL platform.

The invasive carp environmental DNA (eDNA) sample data was collected and processed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and is used for the early detection and monitoring of invasive carp. The reportable eDNA detection summary data along with static maps are shared with the public along with a public facing ArcGIS Online Feature layer, Web Map, and Dashboard. For further information on data collection and processing please refer to the Quality Assurance Project Plan eDNA Monitoring of Bighead and Silver Carps (see files and links). Additional information on the Invasive carp eDNA program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found on the Whitney Genetics Lab Facility web page (see files and links). A positive eDNA detection result means there was invasive carp eDNA in the water body, which can be from live or dead fish, but it could have also been transported via boat, bird, or water current. A positive eDNA detection does not necessarily mean there were invasive carp present at the time samples were taken. For more information or questions, please contact the eDNA Program Coordinator, Nick Frohnauer at (nicholas_frohnauer@fws.gov). Complete ISO 19115 FGDC metadata can be found under the hosted view feature layer on the FWS AGOL platform.

Resource managers need effective methods to limit the spread of invasive Asian carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) into new areas. This study evaluated carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to Asian carps in a small outdoor pond. Telemetered silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) were monitored for 72h (24h before CO2, 24h during CO2, 24h after CO2) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array to evaluate behavioral responses to CO2. Water quality was measured concurrent with acoustic telemetry to determine the concentration and extent of the CO2 plume. Results are intended to provide information on the potential application of CO2 as an invasive fish deterrent strategy.