Angler catch-per-unit-effort in restored and reference sections of the Merced River, California: a preliminary analysis

The headwaters of the Merced River originate in the western Sierra Nevada, California. The river then flows 217 km westward through Yosemite National Park (YNP) and into the San Joaquin Valley, where it flows into the San Joaquin River south of Modesto, California. Due to its proximity to large population centers and its path through the popular YNP, the Merced River gets extensive recreational pressure from rafters, photographers, swimmers, and fishermen. Recreation, through fishing license sales, equipment sales, and area hotel and camping fees produces high revenue for state and local economies. From 2003-2011, the State of California generated an average of $58,347,000 in sport fishing license sales, with a high of $65,174,000 in 2009 (CDFG 2012). A portion of the revenue generated by fishing is allocated for fish stocking and habitat restoration efforts.