Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella was imported to the United States in the 1960s for research into its usefulness as a biocontrol agent for nuisance aquatic vegetation. Escapees and intentionally stocked individuals founded wild, spawning populations in the Mississippi River and tributaries to the Laurentian Great Lakes. USGS-led research on the Sandusky River, a tributary to Lake Erie, demonstrated spawning of Grass Carp in 2015. In 2017, sampling with ichthyoplankton nets in the Sandusky River produced thousands of fertilized eggs on four dates during two distinct spawning events. We used published keys to estimate developmental stage of eggs, which can be used in conjunction with hydraulic models to predict spawning and hatching locations and with genetic analyses to estimate numbers of spawning adults.

Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella was imported to the United States in the 1960s for research into its usefulness as a biocontrol agent for nuisance aquatic vegetation. Escapees and intentionally stocked individuals founded wild, spawning populations in the Mississippi River and tributaries to the Laurentian Great Lakes. USGS-led research on the Sandusky River, a tributary to Lake Erie, demonstrated spawning of Grass Carp in 2015. In 2018, sampling with ichthyoplankton nets in the Sandusky River 11-13 June produced thousands of suspected fertilized Grass Carp eggs. Genetic analysis of 49 eggs identified by microscopic analysis as Grass Carp eggs confirmed all were from Grass Carp, demonstrating 100% accuracy of microscopic analysis. These data include the development stages of the eggs, along with the DNA sequences of a select subset of eggs. We used published keys to estimate developmental stage of eggs, which can be used in conjunction with hydraulic models to predict spawning and hatching locations and with genetic analyses to estimate numbers of spawning adults. First release: December 2018 Revised: August 2019 (ver. 2.0) Revised: July 2020 (ver. 3.0)

Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella was imported to the United States in the 1960s for research into its usefulness as a biocontrol agent for nuisance aquatic vegetation. Escapees and intentionally stocked individuals founded wild, spawning populations in the Mississippi River and tributaries to the Laurentian Great Lakes. USGS-led research on the Sandusky River, a tributary to Lake Erie, demonstrated spawning of Grass Carp in 2015. In 2018, sampling with ichthyoplankton nets in the Sandusky River 11-13 June produced thousands of suspected fertilized Grass Carp eggs. Genetic analysis of 49 eggs identified by microscopic analysis as Grass Carp eggs confirmed all were from Grass Carp, demonstrating 100% accuracy of microscopic analysis. These data include the development stages of the eggs, along with the DNA sequences of a select subset of eggs. We used published keys to estimate developmental stage of eggs, which can be used in conjunction with hydraulic models to predict spawning and hatching locations and with genetic analyses to estimate numbers of spawning adults. First release: December 2018 Revised: August 2019 (ver. 2.0) Revised: July 2020 (ver. 3.0)

Data were collected during efforts to remove invasive grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) from the Sandusky River, OH, USA during 2020–2023. The data includes the number of grass carp captured, capture method, total vessel hours, removal effort year, removal effort month, number of non-target species captured, and river kilometer (distance from the river mouth measured in 0.5 kilometer units). Data include non-spawning grass carp removal efforts from the lower 24 kilometers of the Sandusky River using electrofishing and combined (i.e., electrofishing around a trammel net) removal methods when vessels were working independently.

Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are a non-native species to North America that were first introduced for vegetation control in the 1960s. However, wild-reproducing Grass Carp can negatively impact aquatic habitats and aquatic communities by consuming substantial amounts of aquatic vegetation and increasing turbidity. Numerous fisheries techniques have been used in an attempt to control or eradicate Grass Carp, including electrofishing. However, electrofishing efficiency for Grass Carp has been variable, and optimum electrofishing waveforms and parameters for inducing a capture-prone response have not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum electrofishing waveforms and parameters to induce a capture-prone response at various water temperatures and conductivities in juvenile Grass Carp in a controlled, laboratory setting. Results suggested that rectangular pulse waveforms with 60 to 100 Hz frequencies were most effective for immobilization of juvenile Grass Carp. All duty cycles tested (20 – 48%) at these frequencies were effective; although at 60 Hz and 80 Hz frequencies, 24% and 30% duty cycles, respectively, may be more effective. Water temperature was positively related to voltage gradient immobilization thresholds whereas ambient water conductivity and fish size were inversely related to voltage gradient immobilization thresholds. This study provides important information to those seeking to control, eradicate, or detect Grass Carp using electrofishing and provides a framework for future studies focusing on adult Grass Carp. The dataset includes: Electrofishing exposure trial data from each trial type

The data includes dates, places, and times of sampling events for eggs and larvae of invasive Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in tributaries to Lake Erie between 2015 and 2020. Reference data on locations and dates sampled, gears used, and effort are included. Developmental stages for a subset of undamaged, fertilized eggs are provided. Tables include common fields to allow for integration into a relational database to aid data extraction and associating data among tables.

The data includes dates, places, and times of sampling events for eggs of invasive Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in tributaries to the Great Lakes in 2021 and 2022. Reference data on locations and dates sampled, gears used, and effort are included. Developmental stages for a subset of undamaged, fertilized eggs are provided. Tables include common fields to allow for integration into a relational database to aid data extraction and associating data among tables. First posted: September 2023 Revised: November 2023 (version 1.1)

The data includes dates, places, and times of sampling events for eggs of invasive Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in tributaries to the Great Lakes in 2021 and 2022. Reference data on locations and dates sampled, gears used, and effort are included. Developmental stages for a subset of undamaged, fertilized eggs are provided. Tables include common fields to allow for integration into a relational database to aid data extraction and associating data among tables. First posted: September 2023 Revised: November 2023 (version 1.1)

These data include egg diameter estimates from Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) eggs collected during bongo net sampling in the Huron River (Ohio; 41.3305, -82.5812) on May 23, 2022 near Milan, Ohio. Egg diameters were estimated from photographs using proportional relationships of pixel lengths with a known length scale bar in millimeters. Given that eggs were not perfectly spherical, egg diameters were measured across two perpendicular axes and an average was calculated to represent an estimate of egg diameter (mm).

The data includes dates, places, and times of sampling events for eggs of invasive Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in tributaries to the Great Lakes in 2014, 2023 and 2024. Reference data on locations and dates sampled, gears used, and effort are included. Developmental stages for a subset of undamaged, fertilized eggs are provided. Tables include common fields to allow for integration into a relational database to aid data extraction and associating data among tables.