Data on the detection range and efficiency of VR2W-69 kHz acoustic receivers (Innovasea Marine Systems Canada Inc., Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada; https://www.vemco.com/) were collected to guide the development of telemetry studies of the Clear Lake Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda chi), an imperiled fish species endemic to Clear Lake, Lake County, California. The study took place June 21, 2021 through July 01, 2021. Receivers we deployed at distances of 0m, 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m, and 300m from a sentinel test tag. The test tag was deployed for 20 minutes and emitted signals approximately 6-7 times per minute. Data recorded included the total number of signals emitted by the test tag and the number of those signals that were detected by each receiver. Receiver performance was evaluated in five habitat types: nearshore beach, nearshore with dock pilings, nearshore with a rock reinforced bank (riprap), nearshore with submergent aquatic vegetation, and offshore open water. Five evaluations were conducted in each habitat type. Water depth was measured at each receiver. Basic water quality parameters (Temperature °C, Specific Conductance µS/cm, Salinity PSU, DO saturation %, DO concentration mg/L, pH, Depth, Turbidity FNU, and Chlorophyll µg/L) were measured at the 0m, 100m, and 300m distances with a handheld YSI EXO2 Sonde (Yellow Springs Instruments, Yellow Spring, OH).