Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Minnesota
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

This study is being conducted to understand angler beliefs and perceptions about fish habitat. This information will inform how the DNR can better connect the importance of habitat to sustainable fisheries management. Surveys were distributed to 2,000 resident anglers. A total of 784 full-length surveys were returned, resulting in an adjusted response rate of 41.7%. An additional 80 shortened or late surveys, used to gauge nonresponse, were returned for a total response rate of 46.0%. Respondents had fished in Minnesota for about 40 years, and purchased a Minnesota fishing license an average of 8 of the past 10 years. Respondents fished 24 days in the past year. Respondents rated their preferences for targeting 20 fish species; walleye was the most preferred species while carp and bullhead were least preferred. Respondents were asked to report their overall satisfaction with the overall fishing experience, along with six other specific aspects of fishing. Respondents were most satisfied with the overall fishing experience and access, and least satisfied with the number of fish they caught and the behavior of non-anglers (M=3.2 Respondents were asked how much they agreed with a series of 14 statements about fisheries-related values. Protection related values were rated highest (3.6 on a 5-point scale), compared to utilitarian (2.5) and human dominance (2.6) values.