1 Attachment(s)
Summary of Crappie Angler Data from State Wide Angler Survey
Attachment 316908
Attached (hopefully) is the summary of crappie angler data from the state wide angler survey. I attempted to attach the entire report that was generated from the state wide angler survey but the file was too large, even though it was a PDF.
Here is an excerpt from that report.
Participation Patterns of Arkansas Licensed Resident Anglers
About 36% of Arkansas anglers indicated black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass) as
their preferred species. About 24% indicated Crappie (white or black), 21% preferred Catfishes
(channel, blue, or flathead), 10% preferred to catch Trout (rainbow or brown), and about 5% preferred
to catch various species of Sunfish. Less than 2% of anglers listed Walleye or Temperate basses
(white, striped, and hybrid) as their first preference.
Overall, respondents indicated that they had been fishing an average of nearly 32 years. They fished
an average of 38 days (median=22 days). About 51% of the days fished in Arkansas were done so in
reservoirs or large rivers. Similarly, about 52% of days fished were done so in a boat, canoe, or
kayak, and about 48% of the days were spent bank or wade fishing.
Most anglers (45%) indicated they fished most often with family members. About 19% indicated
they fished most with family and friends together. About 19% indicated they fished most often with
friends and over 16% indicated they fished alone most often.
Only a small percentage of anglers indicated they belonged to a fishing club/organization (6.6%), and
only 9% indicated they participated in fishing tournaments. Those who fished in tournaments
indicated they fished an average of about 6 tournaments in the previous year, 5 of which were in
Arkansas.
Most anglers (56%) indicated they were equally skilled compared to other anglers; about 34%
indicated they were less skilled and about 10% indicated they were more skilled.
Almost 89% of anglers indicated they fished in Arkansas with a rod and reel combination; about 12%
indicated they fished with a fly rod or cane pole, respectively. Other traditional methods employed
by anglers included trotlines (18%), yo-yos (17%), and jug-lines (15%). Less traditional methods
used by Arkansas anglers included bow fishing (5%), snagging (3%), gigging (3%), spear fishing
(1%), and hogging (0.4%). Under 2% of anglers indicated using commercial fishing gear for personal
use.
When asked if they participated in an AGFC sponsored fishing derby prior to their 16th birthday, over
10% indicated that they had done so. About 23% of anglers indicated that they have taken a child to
an AGFC-sponsored derby.
If you would like to see the full report send me an email. Thanks.
