Environmental DNA Data from an Autonomous Sampler on Northern Lake Champlain Near the U.S.-Canadian Border at Rouses Point, New York

This dataset provides environmental DNA (eDNA) data from samples collected by an autonomous eDNA sampler on northern Lake Champlain at Rouses Point, New York. The sampler was located less than one mile south of the U.S.-Canadian border. The sampler was operated from May 12, 2026 through July 23, 2026 and collected 24 samples and 4 field controls. The samples were analyzed with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for the presence of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) DNA. Round goby is an invasive fish species of high interest that is present to the north in the Richelieu River while smallmouth bass are ubiquitous in the area and were targeted as a positive control to confirm the performance of field and laboratory methods.