Spending Characteristics of Bass, Salmon, and Walleye Fishing Tournament Anglers in Wisconsin

Abstract

Abstract:BACKGROUNDCompetitive fishing is a growing sport throughout the United States; every year anglers from across the country come together to compete for an array of prizes.OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the spending characteristics, trip information, and basic demographics of bass, salmon, and walleye fishing tournament anglers in the state of Wisconsin.METHODSSurveys were conducted electronically from fifteen bass, salmon, and walleye fishing tournaments throughout the summer of 2014 to determine angler spending habits in the community hosting the fishing tournament. Anglers' expenditures were assessed in nine categories: housing, grocery stores, restaurants, automobile transportation, boat operation, fishing equipment, boat launch fees, entrance or parking fees, and entertainment.RESULTSTotal median spending amounts for the bass, salmon, and walleye tournaments surveyed were $555, $371, and $1,562 respectively. Housing accounted for bass anglers' largest expenditure; salmon anglers' largest expenditure was boat operation, and walleye anglers spent the most amount of money overall with their largest expenditure also being housing. Trip information along with basic demographics, such as age and residence zip code, were also collected.CONCLUSIONThough cash output varied between tournaments studied, it can be concluded that anglers participating in all fishing tournaments spend significant amounts of money. Several key factors contributed to higher amounts of money spent per angler: high rates of non-local participation, more time spent in the host community, more time spent practice fishing, higher participation of anglers over the age of 36, long tournament durations, greater tournament sizes, and the generally positive reputation of the tournament. Understanding economic data associated with fishing tournaments is vital as communities consider the desirability of these events pertaining to a range of factors such as fish mortality and impacts on the experience of local non-tournament anglers; this study helps bring to light the spending characteristics of anglers fishing in bass, salmon, and walleye fishing tournaments.