Freshwater lake and stream fish data were collected as part of cooperative project between the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. National Park Service which began in 2021. Data was primarily collected from 22 sites within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The number of sites sampled each year as well as the types of data collected and sampling methods varied during each visit. This data release includes data collected between 2021 and 2022. Please review the associated metadata file(s) before using these data.

These data contain counts of fish species collected with a 1.83 m x 9.14 m bag seine constructed of 1.6 mm Delta nylon mesh. When permitted, five consecutive 15.25 m hauls were made parallel to the shoreline. Sites with smaller shorelines were sampled to the greatest extent possible and distance recorded. The seine was pulled in the upstream direction to allow the net to stay open during sampling. Following each haul, fish were sorted by species and counted. Macrophyte community characteristics (percent cover and species) were assessed by visually approximating the proportion of sites occupied by each species. A rake was used to collect vegetation for lab verification of species identification. Other habitat features including shoreline vegetation types, water temperature and bottom substrate types were also recorded.

These data contain counts of fish species collected with a 1.83 m x 9.14 m bag seine constructed of 1.6 mm Delta nylon mesh. When permitted, five consecutive 15.25 m hauls were made parallel to the shoreline. Sites with smaller shorelines were sampled to the greatest extent possible and distance recorded. The seine was pulled in the upstream direction to allow the net to stay open during sampling. Following each haul, fish were sorted by species and counted. Macrophyte community characteristics (percent cover and species) were assessed by visually approximating the proportion of sites occupied by each species. A rake was used to collect vegetation for lab verification of species identification. Other habitat features including shoreline vegetation types, water temperature and bottom substrate types were also recorded.

Image and biometric data were collected for 22 species of fish from Great Lakes Tributaries in Michigan and Ohio, and the Illinois River for the purpose of developing a fish identification classifier. Data consists of a comma delimited spreadsheet that identifies image file names and associated fish identification number, common name, species code, family name, genus, and species, date collected, river from which each fish was collected, location of sampling, fish fork length in millimeters, girth in millimeters, weight in kilograms, and personnel involved with image collection. Biometric data are saved as .csv comma delimited format and image files are saved as .png file type.

Image and biometric data were collected for 22 species of fish from Great Lakes Tributaries in Michigan and Ohio, and the Illinois River for the purpose of developing a fish identification classifier. Data consists of a comma delimited spreadsheet that identifies image file names and associated fish identification number, common name, species code, family name, genus, and species, date collected, river from which each fish was collected, location of sampling, fish fork length in millimeters, girth in millimeters, weight in kilograms, and personnel involved with image collection. Biometric data are saved as .csv comma delimited format and image files are saved as .png file type.

This data release includes zooplankton data collected from a collaborative effort for Environmental Protection Agency’s Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI). Zooplankton surveys were conducted during the growing season, from late April to early November, in two Lake Michigan transects in 2010, two Lake Huron transects in 2012, eight Lake Michigan transects in 2015, and nine Lake Huron transects in 2017. Zooplankton samples were collected by whole water-column tows at two or three stations in different bottom-depth categories (i.e., shallow, middle, and deep) in each of the transects. Due to the difference in bathymetry, some transects did not have a deep station. The shallow and middle stations have bottom depths of 11-27 m and 40-51 m, respectively, in both Lakes Michigan and Huron. As Lake Michigan is generally deeper than Lake Huron, the deep stations have bottom depths of 85-112 m in Lake Michigan and 64-90 m in Lake Huron. The dataset includes tables for sampling operation, zooplankton count, and zooplankton individual size, which may be used to derive zooplankton count or biomass per volume.

This data release includes zooplankton data collected from a collaborative effort for Environmental Protection Agency’s Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI). Zooplankton surveys were conducted during the growing season, from late April to early November, in two Lake Michigan transects in 2010, two Lake Huron transects in 2012, eight Lake Michigan transects in 2015, and nine Lake Huron transects in 2017. Zooplankton samples were collected by whole water-column tows at two or three stations in different bottom-depth categories (i.e., shallow, middle, and deep) in each of the transects. Due to the difference in bathymetry, some transects did not have a deep station. The shallow and middle stations have bottom depths of 11-27 m and 40-51 m, respectively, in both Lakes Michigan and Huron. As Lake Michigan is generally deeper than Lake Huron, the deep stations have bottom depths of 85-112 m in Lake Michigan and 64-90 m in Lake Huron. The dataset includes tables for sampling operation, zooplankton count, and zooplankton individual size, which may be used to derive zooplankton count or biomass per volume.

The U.S Geological Survey conducted hydrographic surveys from September 13-16, 2021 to monitor fish spawning substrate placements (reefs) in the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, MI. A multibeam echosounder was used from the Great Lakes Science Center research vessel Cisco to collect hydrographic data. These data were used to generate maps of river bottom topography in locations where spawning substrates have been placed. The reefs surveyed in the Detroit River included: Fort Wayne, New (East) Belle Isle, Belle Isle, and Grassy Island. The reefs surveyed in the St. Clair River included: Middle Channel, Pointe Aux Chenes, and Harts Light. The data for each study reach were produced in LAS format supported by most geospatial software.

The U.S Geological Survey conducted hydrographic surveys from September 13-16, 2021 to monitor fish spawning substrate placements (reefs) in the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, MI. A multibeam echosounder was used from the Great Lakes Science Center research vessel Cisco to collect hydrographic data. These data were used to generate maps of river bottom topography in locations where spawning substrates have been placed. The reefs surveyed in the Detroit River included: Fort Wayne, New (East) Belle Isle, Belle Isle, and Grassy Island. The reefs surveyed in the St. Clair River included: Middle Channel, Pointe Aux Chenes, and Harts Light. The data for each study reach were produced in LAS format supported by most geospatial software.

The U.S Geological Survey conducted hydrographic surveys from July 23-25, 2018 to monitor fish spawning substrate placements (reefs) in the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers, MI. A multibeam echosounder was used from the Great Lakes Science Center research vessel Cisco to collect hydrographic data. These data were used to generate maps of river bottom topography in locations where spawning substrates have been placed. Reefs that had been constructed at the time of survey in the Detroit River included: Fighting Island, Fort Wayne, New (East) Belle Isle, Belle Isle, and Grassy Island. The reefs constructed in the St. Clair River at the time of survey included: Middle Channel, Pointe aux Chenes, and Harts Light.