Methods

Our study lake, South Sparkling Bog (SSB) (46.003°N, 89.705°W), is a bog lake
located in Vilas County in Northern Wisconsin. South Sparkling Bog is a dystrophic,
dimictic lake with a maximum depth of 8 m, a mean depth of 3.6 m, and a surface area of
0.44 ha. South Sparkling Bog is surrounded by a sphagnum bog mat and has no shoreline
development. During the winters of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, snow was removed from the
surface of South Sparkling Bog following any snow accumulation event. Removal was
conducted via a snowplow attached to the front of an ARGO all-terrain vehicle and a
snowblower. The winter of 2018-2019 served as a reference year, and snow was not removed
from South Sparkling Bog’s surface. While ice cover persisted, plankton samples were
collected at the deep spot for each lake during on a biweekly-to-monthly basis each
winter. On each sampling date, one integrated zooplankton tow was taken at a depth of 0-7
m using a 56 µm mesh Wisconsin net. All zooplankton samples were collected into glass
sample jars, preserved in 90% ethanol, and saved for laboratory analysis. In the lab,
zooplankton samples were filtered through 53 µm mesh and diluted to a known volume, and
three sub-sample replicates were taken using a 1 mL Hensen-Stempel pipette. Sub-sample
replicates were counted to at least 100 individuals, otherwise the entire sample was
quantified. Sub-sample data was then converted to the known diluted volume and finally
converted to total filtered volume (from the integrated tow sample) to estimate density
(individuals L-1). Zooplankton samples were processed using a Leica M8Z dissecting scope
and Leica imaging software. Replicate subsamples were averaged to estimate total abundance
and density, and average lengths (mm) for each sample taxa were calculated from measures
of the first 30 taxa found within a sample date.<br/>

Methods

We sampled larval zebra mussels (veligers) using a 64 microm mesh, 0.5 m diameter
plankton net and stored them in 80% ethanol in 200 mL containers at 25degree C for 0-12
weeks until processing. At each site we performed triplicate 8 m depth plankton tows by
pulling a net from 2 m above the lake bottom at the 10 m depth sites of transects A-C
developed for adult zebra mussel collection. We collected samples approximately every 14
days from June to August in 2016, and June to November in 2017-2019. During fall
sampling, poor weather conditions occasionally limited the number of sites or replicates
collected. We also sampled veligers biweekly in 2019 but reduced sampling to one
replicate per site and only sampled at one site after September. Because veligers are
small and difficult to see, enumeration was time consuming. <br/>We sampled larval zebra mussels (veligers) using a 64 microm mesh, 0.5 m diameter
plankton net and stored them in 80% ethanol in 200 mL containers at 25degree C for 0-12
weeks until processing. At each site we performed triplicate 8 m depth plankton tows by
pulling a net from 2 m above the lake bottom at the 10 m depth sites of transects A-C
developed for adult zebra mussel collection. We collected samples approximately every 14
days from June to August in 2016, and June to November in 2017-2019. During fall
sampling, poor weather conditions occasionally limited the number of sites or replicates
collected. We also sampled veligers biweekly in 2019 but reduced sampling to one
replicate per site and only sampled at one site after September. Because veligers are
small and difficult to see, enumeration was time consuming. <br/>We sampled larval zebra mussels (veligers) using a 64 microm mesh, 0.5 m diameter
plankton net and stored them in 80% ethanol in 200 mL containers at 25degree C for 0-12
weeks until processing. At each site we performed triplicate 8 m depth plankton tows by
pulling a net from 2 m above the lake bottom at the 10 m depth sites of transects A-C
developed for adult zebra mussel collection. We collected samples approximately every 14
days from June to August in 2016, and June to November in 2017-2019. During fall
sampling, poor weather conditions occasionally limited the number of sites or replicates
collected. We also sampled veligers biweekly in 2019 but reduced sampling to one
replicate per site and only sampled at one site after September. Because veligers are
small and difficult to see, enumeration was time consuming.

Methods

Two 30-meter vertical tows (0.5m diameter, 400um mesh net) are collected at the deepest part of Trout Lake each time the lake is visited for routine LTER sampling during open water. On occasion, tows are collected on additional dates. Samples are visually scanned in their entirety for number of Bythotrephes present. The samples are not preserved or archived.

Methods

One zooplankton sample was collected in June 2015 at the deepest part of each lake, via vertical tow with a Wisconsin net (20cm diameter, 80um mesh). Contents of the net were preserved in the field with cold 95% ethanol. Subsamples of each vertical tow sample were counted for zooplankton species, using enough volume to count at least 300 individuals. A larger volume was then visually scanned to look for presence of additional species not seen in the count volume, until at least 2000 individuals had been seen.

Methods

formulas are based on data in literature or were determined in samples from research lakes:

Culver D.A. et.al. 1985. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. Vol 42, 1380-1390.
Biomass of freshwater crustacean zooplankton from length-weight regressions.

Downing, John A. and Frank H. rigler. 1984.
A manual on methods for the assessment of secondary productivity in fresh waters. Second edition.

Dumont, H.J., I. Van de Velde and S. Dumont. Ref??
The dry weight estimate of biomass in a selection of cladocera, copepoda and rotifera from the plankton, periphyton and benthos of continental waters.

Hawkins, Bethany E. and M.S. Evans. 1979. J.Great Lakes Res. 5(3-4):256-263
Seasonal cycles of zooplankton biomass in southeastern Lake Michigan

Lawrence, S.G., D.F. Malley, W.J. Findlay, M.A. MacIver and I.L. Delbaere. 1987. Can J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 44: 264-274.
Methods for estimating dry weight of freshwater planktonic crustaceans from measures of length and shape.

Pace M.L. and J.D. Orcutt. 1981. Limnol. Oceanogr. 26(5), 822-830.
The relative importance of protozoans, rotifers, and crustaceans in a freshwater zooplankton community.

Yan N.D. and G.L. Mackie. 1987. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. Vol 44, 382-389.
Improved estimation of the dry weight of Holopedium gibberum using clutch size, a body fat index, and lake water total phosphorus concentration.

Ruttner-Kolisko A. 1977. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 8, 71-76.
Suggestions for biomass calculations of plankton rotifers.

Methods

We collect zooplankton samples at the deepest part of the lake using two different gear types. We take one vertical tow with a Wisconsin Net (80um mesh), and a series of Schindler Patalas (53um mesh) samples spanning the water column. All samples are preserved in cold 95percent EtOH.
After collection we combine subsamples of the individual Schindler Patalas trap samples to create one hypsometrically pooled sample for each lakeordate. The individual depth samples are discarded after pooling except from one August sampling date per year. The Hypsometrically Pooled sample and the Wisconsin Net sample are archived in the UW Zoology museum.
We count zooplankton in one or two subsamples, each representing 1.8L of lake water, of the hypsometrically pooled samples to calculate zooplankton abundance. We count one sample date per month from the open water season, and the February ice cover sample. We identify individuals to genus or species, take length measurements, and count eggs and embryos.
Protocol log: 1981-May1984 -- a 0.5m high, 31L Schindler Patalas trap with 80um mesh net was used. Two Wisconsin Net tows were collected. Preservative was 12percent buffered formalin.
June1984 -- changed to 53um mesh net on Schindler trap.
July1986 -- began using the 2m high, 45L Schindler Patalas trap. Changed WI Net collection to take only one tow.
2001 -- changed zooplankton preservative from 12percent buffered formalin to 95percent EtOH.
The number of sample dates per year counted varies with lake and year, from 5 datesoryear to 17 datesoryear.
1981-1983 -- pooled samples are of several types: Total Pooled (TP) were created using equal volume subsamples of the Schindler samples. Epi, Meta, Hypo pooled used equal volume subsamples from the Schindler samples collected from each of the thermal strata. Strata Pooled used equal volume subsamples from the Epi, Meta, Hypo pooled samples to create an entire lake sample. Hypsometrically Pooled (HP) is our standard, which uses subsample volumes weighted to represent the hypsometry of the lake.

Methods

Sampling:
Zooplankton were sampled approximately weekly with two net hauls through the water column (30 cm diameter net, 80 um mesh). Tows were taken at standard depths for almost all years. The standard depths are as follows: Peter, East Long, West Long, Crampton and Tuesday Lakes: 12m, Paul Lake: 8m, Ward Lake: 6m; exceptions are: for 2012 and beyond Tuesday Lake was sampled at 10m, Peter was sampled at 10m from 1984-1986, Paul was sampled at 7.5m in 1995. Samples were preserved with cold sugared formalin or Lugol's solution.

Methods

BOOM SHOCKING1987:A standard WDNR electrofishing boat was used on Lake Mendota set at 300 volts and 2.5 amps (mean) DC, with a 20 % duty cycle and 60 pulses per second. On all sampling dates two people netted fish, the total electrofishing crew was three people. Shocking was divided into stations. For each station, the actual starting and ending time was recorded. Starting and ending points of each station were plotted on a nap. A 7.5 minute topographic map (published 1983) and a cartometer was used to develop a standardized shoreline mileage numbering scheme. Starting at the Yahara River outlet at Tenney Park and measuring counterclockwise, the shoreline was numbered according to the number of miles from the outlet. The length of shoreline shocked for each station was determined using the same maps. The objectives of the fall 1987 electrofishing was: to gather CPE data for comparison with previous surveys of the lake; develop a database for relating fall electroshocker CPE to predator density; collect fall predator diet data; make mark-recapture population estimates of YOY predators; and determine year-class-strength of some nonpredators (yellow perch, yellow bass, and white bass).1993: Electrofishing was used to continue marking largemouth and smallmouth bass (because of low CPE in fyke nets), to recapture fish marked in fyke netting, and to mark and recapture walleyes ( less than 11.0 in.) on Lake Mendota. Four person crews electrofished after sunset from May 05 to June 03, 1993. A standard WDNR electrofishing boat was used, set at about 300 volts and 15.0 amps (mean) DC, with a 20 % duty cycle at 60 pulses per second. On all sampling dates two people netted fish; thus, CPE data are given as catch per two netter hour or mile. Shocking was divided into stations. For each station the actual starting and ending time and the generator s meter times was recorded. Starting and ending points of each station were plotted on a map. 7.5 minute topographic maps (published in 1983) were used in addition to a cartometer to develop a standardized shoreline mileage numbering scheme. Starting at the Yahara River outlet at Tenney Park and measuring counterclockwise the shoreline was numbered according to the number of miles from the outlet. The length of shoreline shocked for each station was determined using these maps. The 4 person electroshocker crews were used again from September 20 to October 19. Fall shocking had several objectives: to gather CPE data for comparison with previous surveys of the lake; develop a database for relating fall electroshocker CPE to piscivore density; and make mark recapture population estimates of young of year (YOY) piscivores.1997:5/13/1997-5/20/1997: Electrofishing was completed at night on lakes: Mendota, Monona, and Waubesa. A standard WDNR electrofishing boat was used, set from 320-420 volts and 16-22 amps DC, with a 20 % duty cycle at 50 pulses per second. Two netters were used for each shocking event. At a particular station, starting and ending times where shocking took place were recorded. The location of the designated shocking stations is unknown.9/23/1997-10/14/1997: Electrofishing was completed at night on Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Wingra. A standard WDNR electrofishing boat was used, set from 315-400 volts and 16-24 amps DC, with a 20% duty cycle at 60 pulses per second. Two netters were used for each shocking event. Starting and ending time at each shocking station was listed. The location of the designated shocking stations is unknown.1998:Electrofishing was completed at night on Mendota, Monona, Wingra, and Waubesa from 5/12/1998- 10/28/1998. A standard WDNR electrofishing boat was used, set from 240-410 volts and 15-22 amps DC, with a 20% duty cycle at 50-100 pulses per second. Two netters were used for each shocking event. Starting and ending time at each shocking station was listed. The location of the designated shocking stations is unknown. FYKE NETTING1987:Fyke nets were fished daily from March 17 to April 24, 1987 on Lake Mendota. The nets were constructed of 1.25 inch (stretch) mesh with a lead length of 50 ft. (a few 25 ft. leads were used). The hoop diameter was 3 ft. and the frame measured 3 ft. by 6 ft. Total length of the net was 28 ft. plus the lead length. Nets were set in 48 unknown locations. Initially, effort was concentrated around traditional northern pike spawning sites (Cherokee Marsh, Sixmile Creek, Pheasant Branch Creek, and University Bay). As northern pike catch-per-effort (CPE) declined some nets were moved onto rocky shorelines of the lake to capture walleyes. All adult predators (northern pike, hybrid muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, gar, bowfin, and channel catfish) captured were tagged and scale sampled. Measurements on non-predator species captured in fyke nets were made one day per week. This sampling was used to index size structure and abundance, and to collect age and growth data. In each net, total length and weight of 20 fish of each species caught was measured, and the remaining caught were counted.1993:Same methods as 1987, except fyke nets were fished from 4/8/1993-4/29/1993 on Lake Mendota. The 1993 fyke net data also specifies the &ldquo;mile&rdquo; at which the fyke net was set. This is defined as the number of miles from the outlet of the Yahara River at Tenney Park, moving counterclockwise around the lake. In addition, abundance and lengths of non-gamefish species captured in fyke nets were recorded one day per week. Six nets were randomly selected to sample for non-gamefish data. This sampling was used to index size structure and abundance, and to collect age and growth data. In each randomly selected net, total length and weight was measured for 20 fish of each species, and the remaining caught were counted.1998:There is no formal documentation for the exact methods used for fyke netting from 3/3/1998-8/12/1998 on Lake Mendota. However, given that the data is similar to data collected in 1987 and 1993 it is speculated that the same methods were used.MINI-FYKE NETTING1989:There is no formal documentation for the exact methods used for mini-fyke netting on Lake Mendota and Lake Monona from 7/26/1989-8/25/1989. However, given that the data is similar to data collected from 1990-1993 it is speculated that the same methods were used. In the sampling year of 1989, mini-fyke nets were placed at 22 different unknown stations.1990-1993: Mini-fyke nets were fished on Lake Mendota and Lake Monona during July-September at 20, 29, 13, and 15 sites per month during 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993, respectively to estimate year-class strength, relative abundance, and size structure of fishes in the littoral zone. Nets were constructed with 3/16 in. mesh, 2 ft. diameter hoops, 2 ft. x 3 ft. frame, and a 25 ft. lead. Sites were comparable to seine sites used in previous surveys. Sites included a variety of substrate types and macrophyte densities. To exclude turtles and large piscivores from minifyke nets, some nets were constructed with approximately 2 in. by 2 in. mesh at the entrance to the net. Thus, mini-fyke net data are most accurate for YOY fishes, and should not be used to make inferences about fishes larger than the exclusion mesh size. 1997:There is no formal documentation for the mini-fyke methods which were used on Lake Waubesa and Lake Wingra from 9/16/1997-9/18/1997. However, given that the data is similar to data collected in 1989, and 1990-1993, it is speculated that the methods used during 1997 are the same. SEINE NETTING1989, 1993: Monthly shoreline seining surveys were conducted on Lake Mendota and Lake Monona during June through September to estimate year class-strength, relative abundance, and size structure of the littoral zone fish community. Twenty sites were identified based on previous studies. Sites included a variety of substrate types and macrophyte densities. Seine hauls were made with a 25ft bag seine with 1/8 inch mesh pulled perpendicular to shore starting from a depth of 1 m. Twenty fish of each species were measured from each haul and any additional fish were counted. Gill Netting (1993)Experimental gill nets were fished in weekly periods during June through August, 1993. Gill nets were used to capture piscivores for population estimates of fish marked in fyke nets. All nets were constructed of five 2.5-4.5 in. mesh panels, and were 125 ft. long. Nets set in water shallower than 10 ft. were 3ft. high or less; all others were 6ft. high or less. Sampling locations were selected randomly from up to three strata: 1) offshore reef sets, 2) inshore sets, 6.0-9.9 ft. deep, and 3) mid-depth sets, 10-29.9 ft. deep. The exact location at which the gill nets were set on the lake is unknown because the latitude and longitude values which were recorded by the WDNR are invalid. Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were used to monitor the development of the thermocline and guide net placement during July and August. After the thermocline was established nets were set out to the 30 ft. contour or to the maximum depth with dissolved oxygen greater than 2 ppm. Walleye Age: Scale and Spine Analysis (1987) Scales were taken from walleye that were shocked during the fall of 1987 electrofishing events on Lake Mendota. Scales were taken from 10 fish per one-inch length increment. The scales were removed from behind the left pectoral fin, and from the nape on the left side on esocids. In addition, the second dorsal spine was removed from 10 walleyes per sex and inch increment (to age and compare with scale ages for fish over 20 inches). CREEL SURVEYS1989:Fishing pressure, catch rates, harvest, and exploitation rates were estimated from a randomized, access-point creel survey. The schedule was stratified into weekday and weekend/holiday day types. Shifts were selected randomly and were either 07:00-15:00 h or 15:00-23:00 h. In addition, two 23:00-03:00 h shifts and two 03:00-07:00 h shifts were sampled per month to estimate the same parameters during night time hours. During the ice fishing season (January-February) 22 access points around Lake Mendota and upstream to the Highway 113 bridge were sampled. The clerk counted the number of anglers starting and completing trips during the scheduled stop at each access point. During openwater (March-December) 13 access points were sampled; 10 were boat ramps and 3 were popular shore fishing sites<strong>. </strong>At each of these sites, an instantaneous count of shore anglers was made upon arrival at the site, continuous counts of anglers starting and completing trips at public and private access points were made. Boat occupants and ice fishing anglers were only interviewed if they were completing a trip. Both complete and incomplete interviews were made of shore anglers. Number caught and number kept of each species, and percent of time seeking a particular species were recorded. All predators possessed by anglers were measured, weighed, and inspected for finclips and tags. We measured a random sample of at least 20 fish of each non-predator species per day.1990-1993: Same as 1989, except 23 access points were used during the ice fishing season. In addition, 13 access points were sampled during the openwater (May-December) season; 9 sites were boat ramps and 4 sites were popular shore fishing sites. 1994-1999: No formal documentation exists, but given the similarity in the data and consistency through the years; it is speculated tha tthe methods are the same.