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.

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.

The data set includes quantitative fish abundance counts estimated from video data files collected by a Dual-frequency IDentification SONar (DIDSON) placed at the junction of a water control structure located between Pool 2B and Crane Creek (41.62133N, -83.20769W) within Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Lucas County, Ohio). One-hour-long video data files were used to estimate fish activity in a restored coastal wetland within Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Over 800 video hours of fish movement were recorded at the fully open fish passage structure; 136 video data files were chosen at random to represent the full video data file set and are available upon request. Fish counts from the DIDSON video data files using four different methods are provided, comparing two semi-automated and two manual counting methods. Fish tracking software Echoview paired with an "Automod" script from Milne Technologies (Keene, Ontario, Canada) as well as DIDSON viewer software were used to semi-automate the fish counting process and estimate the total number of fish passing through the structure within a video hour. Manual counts were performed by individuals counting fish from video playback given a specific set of criteria to follow for either the full hour of playback or a set of three two-minute intervals. In addition to the count data, calculated values of percent differences are included offering a comparison of the semi-automated and manual count values. Environmental data (turbidity) associated with the time periods captured in the video data files are also included.

The data set includes quantitative fish abundance counts estimated from video data files collected by a Dual-frequency IDentification SONar (DIDSON) placed at the junction of a water control structure located between Pool 2B and Crane Creek (41.62133N, -83.20769W) within Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Lucas County, Ohio). One-hour-long video data files were used to estimate fish activity in a restored coastal wetland within Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Over 800 video hours of fish movement were recorded at the fully open fish passage structure; 136 video data files were chosen at random to represent the full video data file set and are available upon request. Fish counts from the DIDSON video data files using four different methods are provided, comparing two semi-automated and two manual counting methods. Fish tracking software Echoview paired with an "Automod" script from Milne Technologies (Keene, Ontario, Canada) as well as DIDSON viewer software were used to semi-automate the fish counting process and estimate the total number of fish passing through the structure within a video hour. Manual counts were performed by individuals counting fish from video playback given a specific set of criteria to follow for either the full hour of playback or a set of three two-minute intervals. In addition to the count data, calculated values of percent differences are included offering a comparison of the semi-automated and manual count values. Environmental data (turbidity) associated with the time periods captured in the video data files are also included.

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.

Acoustic telemetry is a popular tool for the study of fish spatial ecology. In acoustic telemetry, fish are captured, surgically implanted with an acoustic transmitter or ‘tag’, and then released back into the environment. Networks of autonomous, stationary receivers then are used to track the movements of tagged individuals over long periods of time (> 1 year). Each acoustic receiver records the date, time, and unique transmitter code (or ID) for each acoustic tag detection. This data set contains detection data for 282 acoustic-tagged lake sturgeon that were captured and released into the Detroit River, St. Clair River, and Lake Huron between 2011 and 2015. Movements of acoustic-tagged individuals were tracked in the Detroit and St. Clair rivers, Lake St. Clair, and in lakes Huron and Erie.

Data on the detection range and efficiency of VR2W-69 kHz acoustic receivers (Innovasea Marine Systems Canada Inc., Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada; https://www.vemco.com/) were collected to guide the development of telemetry studies of the Clear Lake Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), an imperiled fish species endemic to Clear Lake, Lake County, California. The study took place June 21, 2021 through July 01, 2021. Receivers we deployed at distances of 0m, 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m, and 300m from a sentinel test tag. The test tag was deployed for 20 minutes and emitted signals approximately 6-7 times per minute. Data recorded included the total number of signals emitted by the test tag and the number of those signals that were detected by each receiver. Receiver performance was evaluated in five habitat types: nearshore beach, nearshore with dock pilings, nearshore with a rock reinforced bank (riprap), nearshore with submergent aquatic vegetation, and offshore open water. Five evaluations were conducted in each habitat type. Water depth was measured at each receiver. Basic water quality parameters (Temperature °C, Specific Conductance µS/cm, Salinity PSU, DO saturation %, DO concentration mg/L, pH, Depth, Turbidity FNU, and Chlorophyll µg/L) were measured at the 0m, 100m, and 300m distances with a handheld YSI EXO2 Sonde (Yellow Springs Instruments, Yellow Spring, OH).

Data on the detection range and efficiency of VR2W-69 kHz acoustic receivers (Innovasea Marine Systems Canada Inc., Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada; https://www.vemco.com/) were collected to guide the development of telemetry studies of the Clear Lake Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), an imperiled fish species endemic to Clear Lake, Lake County, California. The study took place June 21, 2021 through July 01, 2021. Receivers we deployed at distances of 0m, 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m, and 300m from a sentinel test tag. The test tag was deployed for 20 minutes and emitted signals approximately 6-7 times per minute. Data recorded included the total number of signals emitted by the test tag and the number of those signals that were detected by each receiver. Receiver performance was evaluated in five habitat types: nearshore beach, nearshore with dock pilings, nearshore with a rock reinforced bank (riprap), nearshore with submergent aquatic vegetation, and offshore open water. Five evaluations were conducted in each habitat type. Water depth was measured at each receiver. Basic water quality parameters (Temperature °C, Specific Conductance µS/cm, Salinity PSU, DO saturation %, DO concentration mg/L, pH, Depth, Turbidity FNU, and Chlorophyll µg/L) were measured at the 0m, 100m, and 300m distances with a handheld YSI EXO2 Sonde (Yellow Springs Instruments, Yellow Spring, OH).