Biocomplexity at North Temperate Lakes LTER; Coordinated Field Studies: Predation Study Data 2000 - 2004

These data were collected to track changes in dietary composition, changes in age and
growth structure, and changes in species and size of prey of fish predators in Sparkling
Lake, Vilas County, WI, USA. Sampling began in May of 2000 and ended in September of 2004.
Fish were collected with a boat-mounted electrofishing system, usually by conducting a
complete lap around Sparkling Lake shortly after dark. Commonly captured species were rock
bass, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Less common species were pumpkinseed sunfish and yellow
perch. Dietary Composition: Fish stomach contents were collected by gastric lavage, and fish
were released after capture. Stomach contents were sorted and counted by major taxonomic
groups, dried in polystyrene weighboats at 57 deg C for 48hrs, and then weighed to 0.001g.
The count under a taxonomic group heading indicates how many individuals of that group were
found in that diet sample. The mass of that group is given in the adjacent ''net wt''
column. Diets varied across sampling dates and years, with a trend towards decreased
abundance of the exotics rusty crayfish and rainbow smelt and increased reliance on native
minnows. Prey Data: Fish stomach contents were collected by gastric lavage, and fish were
released after capture. Once collected, crayfish and fish prey were measured unless advanced
digestion had occurred. If possible, the carapace, right chela and left chela of crayfish
prey were measured . Due to digestion, it was usually not possible to get all three
measurements. The total length of prey fish was recorded. Young-of-year smelt and crayfish
were often too small or digested to measure; these were often just counted. Gut labels on
each sampling date correspond with the same gut labels in other datasets. Prey fish and
crayfish size and composition varied across sampling dates and years, with a trend towards
decreased abundance of rusty crayfish and rainbow smelt and increased reliance on native
minnows. Age Growth Data: Scale samples were taken from captured predator fish in the
summers of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004. Number of sites: 1 - Sparkling Lake Sampling
Frequency: 2000: twice; 2001-2004 weekly or biweekly