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Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Technical Report No. 2000-3, 2000
Sportfishing Angler Surveys on Michigan Inland Waters, 1993-99
Roger N. Lockwood
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Institute for Fisheries Research
212 Museums Annex Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1084
Institute for Fisheries Research
212 Museums Annex Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1084
Abstract.-Estimates of sport fishery angling harvest, catch and release, and effort were made using direct contact angler surveys for 50 inland lakes or rivers between spring 1993 and spring 1999. Purposes for angler creel surveys varied: 28% evaluated fish stockings, 24% estimated catch or harvest of a particular species of interest, 22% characterized the fishery, 22% both characterized the fishery and determined angler residency, and 4% estimated angling effort only. Thirty-five separate sites were surveyed, 30 lakes and 5 rivers. Some sites were sampled in multiple years and 1-14 surveys were conducted each year. Multiple fishing modes were sampled for a total of 69 mode-site surveys. Of these mode-specific surveys (MSS), 72% used indirect counts of anglers and 28% used direct counts. Most MSS counts (59%) used a roving count method, 22% used the progressive method, 16% used the proportional method, and 3% used aerial surveys. Most MSS indirect counts were of boats (40%). Trailer-vehicle counts represented 25%, and counts of ice shanties 8%, of MSS. Three percent of MSS collected counts only; catch or harvest was not estimated. Four interview types were collected: access angler party interviews (42%), voluntary-access party interviews (27%), roving party interviews (16%), and roving individual angler interviews (12%). Count and interview data were collected by Fisheries Division employees or employees of cooperating agencies at some locations, and by volunteers at others. Sources of data and specific methodology, or appropriate references, are given for each reported survey to allow duplication at a later date and to clarify limitations of each. In addition to harvest, catch-and-release, and effort estimates, many surveys collected angler residency, bait type used, targeted effort, number of fishing trips taken per day, and angler gender. Where possible, these data were summarized by month and season. To more thoroughly compile existing Michigan sport angler survey estimates, reference sources for additional surveys are given.
Fisheries Technical Report No. 2000-3
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