Comparing Catch Orientation Among Minnesota Walleye, Northern Pike, and Bass Anglers

Abstract

We compared the catch orientations of Minnesota walleye (Sander vitreus), northern pike (Esox lucius), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) anglers. Results were derived from 2009, 2010, and 2012 surveys of anglers targeting these different species. Consistent with previous research, we identified four dimensions of anglers' catch orientation: (a) catching something, (b) catching big fish, (c) catching many fish, and (d) keeping fish. Walleye anglers were the most motivated to keep fish, while northern pike anglers were more oriented toward catching big fish. Largemouth bass anglers, and to a lesser extent smallmouth bass anglers, were also oriented toward catching big fish. Bass anglers reported the lowest interest in keeping fish. An orientation to keep fish was negatively related to more restrictive management actions, regardless of species. A stronger orientation to catch big fish was associated with support for increased harvest restrictions only for northern pike and smallmouth bass.

Fishing for Northern Pike in Minnesota: Comparing Anglers and Dark House Spearers

“…We found some support for protected slot limits among Northern Pike anglers in our study, and prior research has suggested that Northern Pike anglers who place greater importance on catching large fish are more supportive of restrictive regulations (Schroeder and Fulton 2013); however, our results indicate that people generally still prefer to fish at lakes without protective slot limits. Further research is needed to clarify anglers' knowledge of how protected slot limits can influence fish population characteristics in a lake.…”

“…Regulations strongly affected site choice preferences, particularly for spearers. Catch-related attitudes have been found to be related to the fish species targeted (Sutton 2003;Schroeder and Fulton 2013), and our results indicated that these attitudes may also be related to fishing method. Individuals participating in dark house Downloaded by [Lycoming College] at 20:22 01 December 2014 spearing reported weaker attitudes toward catching some or many Northern Pike than did anglers.…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that catchrelated attitudes are important to anglers and relate to satisfaction (Graefe and Fedler 1986;Fedler and Ditton 1994). Catch orientation is a multidimensional concept and has been operationalized to include four factors: (1) catching something, (2) catching many fish, (3) catching large fish, and (4) keeping (or releasing) fish (Fedler and Ditton 1986;Aas and Vittersø 2000;Sutton and Ditton 2001;Arlinghaus 2006;Anderson et al 2007;Kyle et al 2007;Hutt et al 2013;Schroeder and Fulton 2013).…”

“…A growing body of research supports the reliability and validity of these constructs (Aas and Vittersø 2000;Sutton and Ditton 2001;Anderson et al 2007;Kyle et al 2007;Hutt et al 2013;Schroeder and Fulton 2013). Several studies have noted that situational factors or context (e.g., fishing method, species targeted, and location fished) may influence catch-related attitudes (Fedler and Ditton 1994;Sutton 2003;Beardmore et al 2011;Schroeder and Fulton 2013). A recent study clarified differences in catch orientation among anglers pursuing different species of freshwater game fish (Schroeder and Fulton 2013).…”

Mode Effect and Response Rate Issues in Mixed‐Mode Survey Research: Implications for Recreational Fisheries Management

“…While these and other studies have furthered our knowledge of mode effects' impact on the distribution of participants' sociodemographic characteristics, they do not, for the most part, address the potential impact mode effects may have on variables of more substantive interest to recreational fisheries managers. For example, indicators of anglers' harvest orientations and catch rates have potential implications for setting bag limits for specific species (Schroeder and Fulton 2013). An understanding of angler fishing-related expenditures can also reveal the economic impact and value that recreational fisheries have to communities and the state (Southwick Associates 2013).…”