The Human Dimensions of Texas Angling: A 20 Year Analysis Gerard Kyle Adam Landon Michael Schuett Texas A&M University Robin Riechers Jeremy Leitz Ken Kurzawski Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Texas A&M University | Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences | Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Lab

Background ‘89 ‘90 ‘93 ‘97 ‘04 ‘08 ‘01 ‘12

Response Rates

License Sales Percent of Licensed Anglers in Texas & the U.S. Licensed Anglers as a Percentage of Population Total Fishing License Sales

Freshwater vs. Saltwater Freshwater Saltwater Percent of Resident Anglers by who Fished One or More Days in Freshwater/Saltwater

Licensed Anglers not Fishing Percent of Anglers who Purchased a License but did not go Fishing

Socio-Demographics Percent of Resident Anglers by Age

Socio-Demographics Percent of Resident Anglers by Age Freshwater Saltwater

Freshwater Saltwater Resident Anglers’ Household Income

Days Spent Angling Days Spent Angling by Resident Anglers on a Typical Fishing Trip Freshwater Saltwater

Distance Travelled Distance Travelled by Resident Anglers on a Typical Fishing Trip Freshwater Saltwater

Seasonality Freshwater Saltwater Percent of Resident Anglers by Month in which their “Typical” Freshwater/Saltwater Fishing Trip Occurred

Preferred Setting Freshwater Saltwater Resident Anglers’ Preferred Setting

Fishing Companions Freshwater Saltwater Resident Anglers’ Preferred Fishing Companions

Socio-Demographics Percent of Resident Anglers by Age Freshwater Saltwater

Self-Assessed Skill Freshwater Saltwater Resident Anglers’ Self-Assessed Skill

Target Species Freshwater Saltwater Resident Anglers’ Target Species

Fishing Satisfaction Freshwater Saltwater Resident Anglers’ Satisfaction

Some Other Trends Age – Older anglers score lower on almost all motivation variables Scored higher on “To get outdoors” – Younger anglers place less importance on keeping fish – Turn-over of an angling generation Stronger catch and release orientation

Some Other Trends Species Preference - Freshwater – Two very different freshwater angling populations, Bass/Other Bass anglers generally more motivated “Other” anglers place more importance on keeping fish

Some Other Trends Species Preference - Saltwater – Drum and Trout anglers share similar motivations Place differing importance on angling specific expectations; i.e., keeping fish (drum anglers), catching large fish (trout anglers) How will perceived trout declines impact participation? – Increasingly targeting drum and placing importance on catching large fish

Questions? Texas A&M University | Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences | Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Lab