Lower Great Lakes Fishery Resources Office staff conducted electrofishing surveys along the New York State Canal System (NYSCS) at Tonawanda, Rochester, Nelliston, Amsterdam, and near Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.  A total of 1,124 fish were collected from 16 sites in these five locations during the months of June, July, and September.  The objectives of this program are to detect new aquatic invasive species (AIS), confirm expansion of existing AIS, and record incidental captures of rare or threatened species.  Plankton samples and benthic invertebrates were also collected along with physical water conditions.

During the June survey, waterchestnut (Trapa natans), an invasive plant species, was spotted near Montezuma NWR and approximately five to six plants were hand pulled by staff.  During the July survey, a round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) was collected at one of the Rochester sites near the Genesee River.  This capture currently represents the easternmost expansion of goby through the NYSCS.  All invasive species collections were reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL, which maintains the national Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.