Recreation specialization can be viewed as a continuum of behavior from the general to the particular. Along this continuum, participants can be located into meaningful subgroups based on specific criteria. Previous studies have defined, measured, and segmented specialization groups in a variety of ways. The research reported here builds on the Ditton, Loomis, and Choi reconceptualization of recreation specialization. A specialization index was developed to segment anglers into four groups based on their orientation, experiences, relationships, and commitment. Internal validation analysis supported the use of this specialization index as a tool for angler segmentation. Subsequent hypotheses tested for differences among specialization groups in frequency of participation, importance of activity and nonactivity-specific elements, support for management regulations, and sidebets. Results provide strong support for the conceptual framework developed by Ditton et al. These findings indicate a multidimensional index can be used to segment anglers into discreet, meaningful specialization categories.

This study explored relationships between specialization and anglers' attitudes and beliefs connected to marine protected areas (MPAs). A mail survey questionnaire was sent to 697 private boat saltwater anglers in five northeastern states (62% response, n = 419). Although recreation specialization theory predicts that more specialized participants will indicate greater support for management regulations than will less specialized participants, the authors found no significant difference in attitude toward MPAs across specialization level. Highly specialized anglers were more likely to believe that recreational harvest has a detrimental impact on fish populations than were less specialized anglers. However, the loss of access to specific fishery resources will likely be more consequential for highly specialized (more resource dependent) anglers. This greater resource dependency may have counterbalanced their general tendency to show more support for regulations as compared to less specialized anglers. Incorporation of specialization theory into attitude research can improve the understanding of important cognitive differences that exist among diverse recreation participants. Implications for specialization theory and natural resource management are discussed.

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The growth and abundance of yellow perch Perca flavescens in Saginaw Bay have varied historically. Changes in growth have been ascribed to many causes, including density and genetic composition of the fish stock, both of which are also believed to vary with location in the bay. The objectives of this study were to compare growth and maturation of yellow perch from inner and outer Saginaw Bay, to investigate the existence of different fish stocks, and to compare growth of yellow perch in Saginaw Bay to growth in other locations to determine the degree of stunting. Yellow perch were collected from four sites in inner and outer Saginaw Bay from 1983 to 1985. Size distributions differed between the inner and outer bay sites: larger and older fish were more common in the outer bay. Percentage of body water, body energy density, gonadosomatic index, and age at maturation did not differ between the inner and outer bay sites. Growth in weight, total body energy, and condition factors differed significantly. These results indicate that growth conditions differ between the inner and outer bay, but the fish populations may not be isolated completely, as has been suggested. Results also suggest that the growth differential has not caused large geographic differences in growth rate, but has caused small condition differences. Yellow perch growth is poor in Saginaw Bay, and the fish appear unable to store substantial energy reserves at any time of year. It appears that behavioral differences between young and old fish may cause the differential distribution of fish by size in Saginaw Bay.