This document details techniques for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates with a variety of off-shore and on-shore techniques.  Dipnet shoreline sweeps are recommended for in concert with each method.  Shoreline sampling protocols include rock picking (visual survey), kick net, and minnow trapping (termed "activity" trap).  Offshore sampling includes grabs and plankton net tows.  These protocols are recommended for 20-40 ha lakes.  Number of samples needed for each methodology will vary by location and method – investigators should perform a pilot study to determine these variables.

Shoreline sweeps:

The authors recommend sweeping the shoreline vegetation with dipnets to collect adult insects each time a site is visited.  If necessary, collections can be standardized by sweeping over a fixed-time period or fixed area.

Onshore methods:

Rock pick:

Investigators spend 15-20 min on rocky shorelines turning over rocks and examining them for invertebrates.  Organisms can be removed from the rocks using forceps and then preserved in a jar.