North Temperate Lakes LTER: Crayfish Abundance 1981 - current

Crayfish data include crayfish catch in cylindrical minnow traps baited with beef liver and the occasional occurrence in other gear used to sample fish. Traps are now placed at fyke net locations in three study lakes (Big Muskellunge, Sparkling, and Trout), but historical data exists in nine study lakes (Allequash, Big Muskellunge, Crystal, Sparkling, Trout, Mendota, Monona, Wingra and Fish). 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. In Sparkling lake, Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) was removed from 2001 to 2008. (Hein et al, https://doi.org/10.1139/f05-229). 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. Note that 2020 data does not exist due to insufficient sampling, and beach seining was discontinued after the 2019 season. Sampling Frequency: annually. Number of sites: 3