In 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) to monitor indicators of the condition of the nation's ecological resources. The goals of the surface waters component (EMAP-SW) are to estimate with statistical rigor: the current status, extent, and geographic distribution of lakes and streams; the proportion of these resources that is degraded; changes in the condition of surface waters; the probable causes of adverse effects. In January 1992, EMAP-SW held a two-and-a-half day workshop to address a range of issues related to using fish assemblage data to assess the biological integrity of lakes, determining achievable conditions, and collecting an index sample of the fish assemblages in lakes in a synoptic monitoring program. The report paraphases the discussion questions and summarizes the results of the small group and plenary discussions, giving the general consensus, issues of concern, and suggested approaches to problems. The report documents the workshop to help guide EMAP-SW in its decision making.