These data were derived from hydroacoustic data collected by uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) and powered research vessels. The powered vessels overtook the USVs in Lakes Huron and Michigan to study fish avoidance of survey vessels during traditional acoustic surveys. The water column was divided into three depth groups (epilimnion, metalimnion, hypolimnion) for analysis. Each drone transect was binned into 30-sec intervals and measured hydroacoustic values were averaged in this region. To compare vessels and drones, parallel overtakes (overtakes where vessel and drone followed the same path) which were ~2 km long, were measured by both platforms and the differences between acoustic measures compared.

These data were derived from hydroacoustic data collected by uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) and powered research vessels in Lake Superior in 2022. The powered vessels overtook the USVs to study fish avoidance of survey vessels during traditional acoustic surveys. The water column was divided into four depth groups for analysis. Each USV transect was binned into 30-sec intervals and measured hydroacoustic values were averaged in this region. To compare vessels and USVs, parallel overtakes (overtakes where vessel and drone followed the same path) which were ~2 km long, were measured by both platforms and the differences between acoustic measures compared.

Each line in the file “Lake Michigan fish acoustic data from 2011 to 2016.csv” represents the acoustic data and estimated fish density for a single depth layer of water. Surveys are conducted along transects, transects are divided horizontally into successive intervals, and then within an interval there are multiple successive depth layers. Area backscattering (ABC), mean acoustic size (sigma), and fish density are reported for each unique transect-interval – layer from Lake Michigan in the years 2011-2016. Area backscattering (PRC_ABC), mean acoustic size (sigma), and fish density in the intervals and layers of acoustic survey transects of Lake Michigan in the years 2011-2016. The survey is carried out using a stratified, systematic design with transect locations randomized within each stratum. As a result, transect location varies each year.

Hydroacoustic estimates of fish density are used for fisheries management in central Lake Erie. Hydroacoustic data were collected along 8, randomly-selected, 5-kilometer transects and three transects between the US shore and the international border in central Lake Erie in July 2020. Software-generated raw variables used for calculating estimates of hydroacoustic fish densities are presented here. These data are related to a longer-term data set from 2010-2019.

Hydroacoustic estimates of fish density are used for fisheries management in central Lake Erie. Hydroacoustic data were collected along 8, randomly-selected, 5-kilometer transects and three transects between the US shore and the international border in central Lake Erie in July 2020. Software-generated raw variables used for calculating estimates of hydroacoustic fish densities are presented here. These data are related to a longer-term data set from 2010-2019.

Hydroacoustic estimates of fish density are used for fisheries management in central Lake Erie. Hydroacoustic data were collected along 10, randomly-selected, 5-kilometer transects and two cross-basin transects between the US and Canadian shorelines in central Lake Erie during July 2021. Software-generated raw variables were used for calculating estimates of hydroacoustic fish densities presented here in tabular form. These data are related to a longer-term data set from 2010-2019, and a data set from 2020.

Hydroacoustic estimates of fish density are used for fisheries management in central Lake Erie. Hydroacoustic data were collected along 10, randomly-selected, 5-kilometer transects and two cross-basin transects between the US and Canadian shorelines in central Lake Erie during July 2021. Software-generated raw variables were used for calculating estimates of hydroacoustic fish densities presented here in tabular form. These data are related to a longer-term data set from 2010-2019, and a data set from 2020.

Hydroacoustic estimates of fish density are used for fisheries management in central Lake Erie. Hydroacoustic data were collected along up to four cross-lake transects in central Lake Erie July 2010 through July 2019. Software-generated raw variables used for calculating estimates of hydroacoustic fish densities are presented here.

Hydroacoustic estimates of fish density are used for fisheries management in central Lake Erie. Hydroacoustic data were collected along up to four cross-lake transects in central Lake Erie July 2010 through July 2019. Software-generated raw variables used for calculating estimates of hydroacoustic fish densities are presented here.

This dataset is a LAS (industry-standard binary format for storing lidar point clouds) dataset containing light detection and ranging (lidar) data and sonar data representing the beach and near-shore topography of Lake Superior at Minnesota Point, near the Duluth entry, Duluth, Minnesota. Average point spacing of the LAS files in the dataset are as follows: lidar, 0.094 meters (m); multibeam sonar, 0.501 m; single-beam sonar, 1.876 m. The LAS dataset was used to create digital elevation models (DEMs) of 10 m (32.8084 feet) and 1 m (3.28084 feet) resolution, of the approximate 1.75 square kilometer surveyed area. Lidar data were collected August 22, 2022 using a boat mounted Velodyne VLP-16 unit and methodology similar to that described by Huizinga and Wagner (2019). Multibeam sonar data were collected August 22-23, 2022 using a Norbit integrated wide band multibeam system compact (iWBMSc) sonar unit and methodology similar to that described by Richards and Huizinga (2018). Single-beam sonar data were collected August 23, 2022 using a Ceescope echosounder and methodology similar to that described by Wilson and Richards (2006).This project followed similar methods to that of Wagner, Lund, and Sanks (2020), who completed a similar survey in 2019.