Catch orientation and public lake stocking preferences: A typology of freshwater anglers

Angler populations at public fishing areas are often heterogenous, implying that they seek a variety of fishing experiences. Understanding the typology of anglers that value different experiences and comparing their management preferences helps fishery managers meet angler expectations and enhance satisfaction. This study clustered a sample of the freshwater angler population in Tennessee based on the importance placed on catch-related aspects of fishing and compared the demographic characteristics, fishing behavior, public lake stocking preferences, and importance of non-catch-related aspects of fishing of the different clusters. A hierarchical cluster analysis of survey responses collected with a mixed-mode survey yielded four distinct angler clusters that varied in the importance that they placed on the catch-related aspects of fishing: Trophy anglers (30%), Native fish enthusiasts (45%), Non-specific consumers (17%), and Non-consumptive anglers (8%). There were significant differences in the demographic characteristics, fishing behavior, importance of non-catch-related aspects of fishing and preferred fish of the identified clusters. Findings from this study offer important insights to fishery managers on the underlying variation in the angler population that could inform the selection of fish taxa for stocking public lakes.