This collection contains genetic extracts from homogenized zooplankton samples collected during zooplankton sampling in lakes (NEON sample class: zoo_dnaExtraction_in.dnaSampleID). Zooplankton DNA metabarcoding samples are collected and sequenced once per year in mid-summer. 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. Zooplankton are preserved in ethanol in the field. The samples are shipped to an external facility for homogenization and high-throughput sequencing (metabarcoding). Genetic extracts in 2 mL cryovials are archived in the NEON Biorepository at -80 degrees Celsius. See related links below for protocols and NEON related data products. The metabarcoding analysis protocols used by external facilities are available in the NEON document library (https://data.neonscience.org/documents).