North Temperate Lakes LTER: Crayfish Abundance

Crayfish data include crayfish catch in cylindrical minnow traps baited with beef liver
and occasional occurrence in other gear used to sample fish. Traps are placed at fyke net
locations in nine study lakes (Allequash, Big Muskellunge, Crystal, Sparkling, Trout,
Mendota, Monona, Wingra and Fish). Crayfish traps have been eliminated as gear in the
Madison area lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, and Fish) after 2003. Individuals are
identified to species and counted. In Trout and Sparkling Lake more detailed surveys have
been conducted during the summer on an ad hoc basis to track distribution and abundance of
the invading species Orconectes rusticus. Additional data sets consist of pre-LTER sets
(initiated in late June 1972) gathered by Capelli (Ph.D. dissertation) and Lorman (Ph.D.
dissertation). Most of pre-LTER data is detailed distribution in Trout Lake, and community
composition in other area lakes. Sampling Frequency: annually Number of sites: 9