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.

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 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).