Comparison of environmental DNA sampling protocols for detection of stream fishes in the Pacific Northwest, 2019 (ver. 2.0, November 2025)

This dataset contains environmental DNA (eDNA) data (field, extraction, and qPCR) for rainbow trout sampling efforts conducted in the Pacific Northwest in 2019. Samples were collected using three eDNA sampling methods. Also included are qPCR data for extraction negatives, no-template controls (NTC), and standard dilutions of rainbow trout gBlock. NTC and gBlock qPCR data were used to calculate maximum uninhibited internal positive control Cq values for each qPCR plate that contained field samples. These values were then used to calculate amplification delay for qPCR replicates of field samples. Data for two environmental covariates not collected in the field (stream discharge and rainbow trout abundance) were obtained from external sources (OBMEP 2020, USGS 2024, WSC 2024).