This collection contains unsorted bulk zooplankton samples (NEON sample class: zoo_fieldData_in.sampleID.dna). Bulk zooplankton samples are collected using field sterile methods at lake sites during biology bout windows in spring and fall. Samples are collected using either a tow net (water deeper than 4 m) or a Schindler-Patalas trap (water shallower than 4 m) depending on the depth at the sampling location. Samples are collected near the NEON profiling buoy as well as the littoral sensor sets. During each sampling bout, three samples are collected for morphological taxonomy and three samples for DNA/bulk archiving. The DNA metabarcoding samples from bout 2 (summer) are sent to an external laboratory for metabarcoding. The unsorted bulk samples collected using field sterile methods from bout 1 (spring) and bout 3 (autumn) are archived for future research. Unsorted bulk zooplankton samples are preserved in 30-40% ethanol (prior to 2020) or 95% ethanol (2020 and beyond) and archived in a temperature (17-18°C) and humidity controlled environment. See related links below for protocols and NEON related data products.