Decline in angler use despite increased catch rates: Anglers’ response to the implementation of a total catch-and-release regulation

Peer-reviewed

A mandatory total catch-and-release regulation and a bait ban were implemented on Lower Kananaskis Lake, Canada, due to the drastic decline of the native bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) population. In the decade following harvest-regulation changes, the adult bull trout population experienced a 28-fold increase in abundance. Two roving creel surveys of winter ice-anglers, the first conducted just prior to the regulation changes (1992) and the second 10 years later (2002), were used to compare catch rates, the size structure of fish caught, and angler effort before and after the bull trout population rebuilt. Supplementary information from voluntary creel cards (1996–2003) was used to evaluate temporal trends in summer catch-related fishery attributes as the fish population recovered. Winter catch rates were three-fold and 12-fold higher in 2002 than in 1992, for all bull trout and large (>50 cm) bull trout, respectively. The proportion of large fish in the catch also increased. Voluntary creel card information suggested summer catch rates and the frequency of large fish in the catch both increased as the population rebuilt. However, despite the increase in fishing “quality”, angler numbers were three- to 10-fold lower in 2002 than 1992, indicating reduced utilization of the fishery. We speculate that harvest-oriented anglers were displaced from Lower Kananaskis Lake because of restrictive regulations. Our study shows anglers are not necessarily attracted to high-catch-rate fisheries, suggesting angler behaviour is complex and not driven by catch rates alone. Thus, to meet management objectives, understanding angler effort responses to regulatory changes is fundamentally important.

Johnston, F. D., Arlinghaus, R., Stelfox, J., Post, J. R. (2011). Decline in angler use despite increased catch rates: Anglers’ response to the implementation of a total catch-and-release regulation. Fisheries Research, 110, 189–197


Published : 2011
Appeared in : Fisheries Research, 110, 189–197