WDNR Survey Results On Why Anglers Left Trout Fish

Recently at WCC meeting I had some of the WDNR fisheries folks close at hand so I did a little question answer thing. I was told the person to ask was Jordan Petchenik from the WDNR. He and a couple others were part of the survey data compilation and he would have more information on the the numbers I wanted to know.

I contacted Jordan today. I requested some specific data from him and he said he would happily supply it to me. I wanted to know how many surveys were returned and what was the break down of people who left trout fishing. He told me that the survey respondents were broken down in to three groups. Fly anglers, spin anglers and bait anglers were the groups.

He told me he should have those numbers for me soon. I explained to him that the WDNR when streamlining the regulations should look at the target audience and fashion the changing of the rules and season length to try to entice the majority of anglers that left trout fishing to return.

I also told him I was a writer and planned on make an article about the data.

Data is in from Jordan.

Jordan Petchenik
Resource Sociologist
(608/266-8523)
[email protected]

The survey to lapsed anglers had a response rate of 68%.

Of the people who responded these were the numbers:

51% of lapsed anglers often or always fished with live bait;

35% often or always fished with spinners or lures;

25% often or always fished with flies.

The total will not equal 100% because an angler can use multiple techniques in a day of fishing.

This data speaks for itself. We need to fashion the streamlining of the rules to lure back these anglers. We also need to NOT make more catch and release seasons with no bait allowed because 51 percent of the folks that left used bait and would not return if their preferred method was not allowed.

Len

I agree C&R and technique should be personal choice. I tend to fly fish but will never not have a spinning rod with some panther martins and small raps in the truck. I tend to not keep many. We need to stand united as fisherman. Not divided by my technique is better than yours. Before the push to turn everything C&R flies only some of our streams definitely had more size diversity of fish. Now some of the streams are filled with tiny little trout because of people refusal to keep one or the regulation prevent reasonable harvest. IMHO I believe this is why many bait anglers leave.

Mwal

I can tell you first hand that I left trout fishing for the simple fact that I don’t eat them and I bought a boat to spend time chasing BIGGER species. I am not saying there is anything wrong with trout… Just my reasoning that I would rather catch larger fish.

One thing I can say is I do miss the scenery and peaceful atmosphere on most trout strsams. Totally different landscape than the big lakes I am used to.

Just my insight for ya Len. I haven’t trout fished for at least 5 years but am considering ice fishing for lakers… Now those things get BIG

I’m with you AJ. The call of the big river bit me.

Len, just one thing to consider…or toss aside.

IF the dnr biologist feel a certain stream can handle x amount of days fishing and harvesting using whatever baits, but could handle another month of flys only catch and release…wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Or dialing it in a bit more, if this stream can’t handle much pressure, wouldn’t going to a fly only catch and release season create opportunities for some that might not care to travel?

Disclaimer: I would rather fish for trout and panfish with a fly then any other means however I don’t want to force my beliefs on others without sound biological facts.

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I can tell you first hand that I left trout fishing for the simple fact that I don’t eat them and I bought a boat to spend time chasing BIGGER species. I am not saying there is anything wrong with trout… Just my reasoning that I would rather catch larger fish.

Just my insight for ya Len. I haven’t trout fished for at least 5 years but am considering ice fishing for lakers… Now those things get BIG

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A.J.
I agree about the trout stream atmosphere. Being in western Wi it’s the easiest fishing option for me. I mostly fly fish but do a little spin fishing. I don’t fish with bait mainly because I don’t keep the fish and I like to cover water. No, big fish aren’t the norm but it’s a great way to wind down after work. I hit the closest trout stream to Mpls/St.Paul on Tues and only saw two guys.

“Of the lapsed trout anglers that ranked the poor quality of their favorite trout fishery as the primary reason they stopped fishing, more than eight in ten (83%) indicated they would likely return if the quality improved.

For those that ranked poor stream access and stream conditions as the primary reason they stopped fishing, two-thirds (67%) indicated they would likely return if access and conditions improved.

Of the lapsed trout anglers that ranked our regulations as the primary reason they stopped fishing, about three-fourths (74%) indicated that they would likely return if our regulations were simplified or allowed anglers to fish the way they preferred.

Three-fourths (74%) of lapsed anglers reported that would likely start trout fishing again if their current time constraints improved. This finding perhaps holds real potential for returned participation when current time constraints clear.”

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/documents/trout/troutdropoutreport.pdf