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 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 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. Data are sometimes collected from multiple vessels, raising the question of comparability of data collected among vessels. Hydroacoustic data were collected along three cross-lake transects in central Lake Erie in July, 2014 from three different vessels using similar equipment. Several variables derived from hydroacoustic data and fish densities calculated from those variables were compared between the standard vessel used typically for hydroacoustic data collection and two other vessels used occasionally. The data used in those analyses are presented here.

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.

Observations and subtle shifts of aquatic vegetation communities in Lake Erie have USGS researchers concerned about the potential for grass carp and other threats to alter these vegetation communities. Assessing submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) may contribute to inform the long-term impacts of grass carp, common carp, eutrophication, wind fetch and sedimentation on SAV communities throughout Lake Erie and the impact these stressors may have on other organisms in the ecosystem. Field based SAV surveys using hydroacoustics and rake surveys were conducted from 2016-2019 in key locations coupled with remote sensing and GIS mapping to compile a baseline assessment for current existing SAV communities. While these efforts contribute to the assessment of long-term impacts of grass carp and other threats on SAV communities throughout Lake Erie and the impact this may have on other organisms in the ecosystem, they also help inform the deployment of grass carp-specific toxic bait deployments. Bait deployments can be strategically placed based on the spatial distribution and diet preferences of grass carp to maximize control efforts while reducing impacts to native species. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Since 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center's Lake Erie Biological Station (LEBS) has participated in a collaborative, multiagency effort to assess pelagic prey fish populations in the western (WB), central (CB), and eastern (EB) basins of Lake Erie through a combination of hydroacoustic and midwater trawl sampling. Assessing lake-wide distribution and abundance of pelagic prey species over time facilitates evaluation of large-scale drivers of fish production while also considering food-web dynamics at a smaller sub-basin scale. Information from this survey will support decision making within an ecosystem-based fishery management framework. In support of binational Great Lakes fishery management, the objectives of this survey are to provide density estimates of key pelagic prey species across Lake Erie, to assess spatial distributions of fishes, and annual fluctuations in abundance. A stratified-random sampling approach including 24 strata was carried out during July (Summer), starting in 2022. This data release adds 2023 data to the set for a total of 2 years using the standardized survey design and data processing workflow.

Since 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey - Great Lakes Science Center's Lake Erie Biological Station (LEBS) has participated in a collaborative, multiagency effort to assess pelagic prey fish populations in the western (WB), central (CB), and eastern (EB) basins of Lake Erie through a combination of hydroacoustic and midwater trawl sampling. Assessing lake-wide distribution and abundance of pelagic prey species over time facilitates evaluation of large-scale drivers of fish production while also considering food-web dynamics at a smaller sub-basin scale. Information from this survey will support decision making within an ecosystem-based fishery management framework. In support of binational Great Lakes fishery management, the objectives of this survey are to provide density estimates of key pelagic prey species across Lake Erie, to assess spatial distributions of fishes, and annual fluctuations in abundance. A stratified-random sampling approach including 24 strata was carried out during July (Summer), starting in 2022. This data release adds 2023 data to the set for a total of 2 years using the standardized survey design and data processing workflow.