Egg mat retention trials were conducted with walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) eggs in an experimental flume tank, seeded directly on egg mats (test retention efficiency) and hand dispersed in flowing flume water to simulate spawning over egg mats (test capture efficiency) with and without alternate substrate. In the field study, we measured number of eggs collected on mats and with bottom drift nets in the Detroit River to compare capture effectiveness. The field collection data describe the number, date of collection, and exact collection location of target species (walleye and lake whitefish). The flume trial data include number of eggs retained or collected, water velocity, and substrate during the flume trials.

A long-term, multiseason, fish egg sampling program is conducted annually on the Detroit, Saint Clair, and Saint Marys rivers to identify where productive fish spawning habitat currently exists and evaluate habitat restoration projects. Egg mats were placed on the river bottom during the spring and fall at historic spawning areas, candidate fish spawning habitat restoration sites, and completed spawning habitat restoration sites throughout the rivers. Widespread evidence was found of lithophilic spawning by numerous native fish species, including walleye (Sander vitreus), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), suckers (Family: Catostomidae), and trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). The data describe the number, density, date of collection, and exact collection location of fish eggs collected in the St. Clair (2010-2022), Detroit (2005-2022), and St. Marys rivers (2018-2022).

A long-term, multiseason, fish egg sampling program is conducted annually on the Detroit, Saint Clair, and Saint Marys rivers to identify where productive fish spawning habitat currently exists and evaluate habitat restoration projects. Egg mats were placed on the river bottom during the spring and fall at historic spawning areas, candidate fish spawning habitat restoration sites, and completed spawning habitat restoration sites throughout the rivers. Widespread evidence was found of lithophilic spawning by numerous native fish species, including walleye (Sander vitreus), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), suckers (Family: Catostomidae), and trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). The data describe the number, density, date of collection, and exact collection location of fish eggs collected in the St. Clair (2010-2022), Detroit (2005-2022), and St. Marys rivers (2018-2022).

A long-term, multi-season, fish egg sampling program is conducted annually on the Detroit, Saint Clair, and Saint Marys rivers to identify where productive fish spawning habitat currently exists and evaluate habitat restoration projects. Egg mats were placed on the river bottom during the spring and fall at historic spawning areas, candidate fish spawning habitat restoration sites, and completed spawning habitat restoration sites throughout the rivers. Egg mats were placed in US and Canadian waters. Widespread evidence was found of lithophilic spawning by numerous native fish species, including walleye (Sander vitreus), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), suckers (Family: Catostomidae), and trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). The data describe the number, density, date of collection, and exact collection location of fish eggs collected in the St. Clair (2010-2024), Detroit (2005-2024), and St. Marys rivers (2018-2022).

A long-term, multiseason, fish egg sampling program is conducted annually on the Detroit, Saint Clair, and Saint Marys rivers to identify where productive fish spawning habitat currently exists. Egg mats were placed on the river bottom during the spring and fall at historic spawning areas, candidate fish spawning habitat restoration sites, and completed spawning habitat restoration sites throughout the rivers. Widespread evidence was found of lithophilic spawning by numerous native fish species, including walleye (Sander vitreus), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), suckers (Catostomidae spp.), and trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus). The data describe the number, density, date of collection, and exact collection location of fish eggs collected in the St. Clair (2010-2018), Detroit (2005-2018), and St. Marys rivers (2018).

These data include a field study of the sediment hardness and fish egg density (walleye [Sander vitreus] and lake whitefish [Coregonus clupeaformis]) after sediment cleaning treatments (propulsion sled or hydro-jet sled) conducted at two reef locations in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, during 2018 and 2019. The data includes the year, species, reef, treatment type (jet, fan, control), number of eggs, and egg density in the treatment area. Relative sediment hardness for the treatment areas assessed before and after sediment cleaning experiments is provided. Additionally, walleye eggs were collected from Brookville Reservoir, Indiana, and incubated at the aquaculture research laboratory at Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana) to determine the effect of sediment cover on egg hatching success rate. The incubated eggs were exposed to different sediment types and levels of sediment coverage intensity. The data contains the year, treatment, parental female length (2019 only), number of walleye hatched, and egg diameter (2019 only) collected in the laboratory study.

To investigate the contemporary distribution of lake whitefish spawning and over-winter egg survival within western Lake Erie, potential spawning locations were sampled for eggs from 2016 to 2018. Eggs were collected using a 39-kg iron sled attached to a diaphragm pump towed for 2 - 5 minutes. The data describe the number, date of collection, and exact collection location of Lake Whitefish fish eggs collected in the western basin of Lake Erie from 2016-2018.

To investigate the contemporary distribution of lake whitefish spawning and over-winter egg survival within western Lake Erie, potential spawning locations were sampled for eggs from 2016 to 2018. Eggs were collected using a 39-kg iron sled attached to a diaphragm pump towed for 2 - 5 minutes. The data describe the number, date of collection, and exact collection location of Lake Whitefish fish eggs collected in the western basin of Lake Erie from 2016-2018.

Assessment of egg deposition is widely used to provide an index of spawning efforts for lithophilic-spawning fishes. However, little is known about the collection techniques efficacy and bias when collecting fish eggs. We conducted a literature review to assess egg collection methods and evaluate egg retention and capture on egg mats. The literature review provided a summary of different gear types used to collect fish eggs, possible bias from the gears, and egg 'abundance' reporting strategies.

Assessment of egg deposition is widely used to provide an index of spawning efforts for lithophilic-spawning fishes. However, little is known about the collection techniques efficacy and bias when collecting fish eggs. We conducted a literature review to assess egg collection methods and evaluate egg retention and capture on egg mats. The literature review provided a summary of different gear types used to collect fish eggs, possible bias from the gears, and egg 'abundance' reporting strategies.