The LaMotte Bottom Sampling Dredge, a modification of the well-known Peterson dredge, provides a convenient method for collecting bottom sediments. It is used for collecting bottom sediments which may contain mud, sand, ooze, and gravel; however, it is not designed to collect samples from rock bottoms. By using a bottom sampling dredge, a number of different analyses can be made. Since the bottom sediments represent a good area to find macroinvertebrates and benthic algae, the communities of organisms living on or in the bottom can be easily studied quantitatively and qualitatively. A chemical analysis of the bottom sediments can be conducted to determine what chemicals are available to the organisms living in the bottom habitat. Also, the structural characteristics of the bottom may be examined and related to the biological and chemical analysis. All of these different studies are made possible through the use of a bottom sampling dredge.