Specialization and Characterization of Stocked-Trout Anglers in Virginia, USA

To manage a recreational fishery effectively, agencies must understand who actively utilizes the fishery. Despite the popularity of stocked-trout fishing, most studies have focused on fishing for wild trout, while few studies have attempted to describe stocked-trout anglers. We sought to characterize stocked-trout anglers specifically. We interviewed 3,367 anglers during their fishing trips on 17 stocked-trout waters across Virginia. We asked anglers questions relating to their demographics, motivations, fishing and management preferences, catch and harvest that day, level of specialization, and level of satisfaction. Using a hierarchical clustering method, we identified four unique clusters of anglers: specialists, avid anglers, consumptive-experienced anglers, and casual anglers. The clusters differed in their motivations for fishing, management and fishing preferences, and level of satisfaction. Proportions of each cluster varied across fishery types. Results from this study depict how stocked-trout anglers differ from wild-trout anglers. These results can help managers to adjust management strategies for various angler groups and can help managers to focus their efforts on how to recruit and retain anglers.