SEAFWA 2017

AUTHORS: Leslie M. Burger, Mississippi State University; J. Wesley Neal, Mississippi State University; Robert D. Lusk, Pond Boss Magazine

ABSTRACT: Angling participation has stagnated or declined in many regions, threatening the political and financial support for fisheries conservation. Angler recruitment programs aim to counteract these trends, but most are public programs targeting public water bodies. There are about 4.5 million small ponds and lakes in the US, most of which are privately owned. These systems may play a major yet hidden role in angler recruitment. We explored the idea that private waters are providing youth angling opportunities, increasing fishing participation, and contributing to angler recruitment. We used an online survey of avid pond owners and managers. Survey results indicate pond owners are engaged in angling recruitment and retention by providing youth fishing opportunities to friends and family beyond that generally available in traditional recruiting events on public waters. About 90% of respondents had at least one child under 18 fish their pond in the past year, most of which were immediate family and children of friends and neighbors. Pond owners and managers actively fished with children on the property as well as taking children fishing on other private and public waters. This process of mentoring and activity reinforcement appeared to lead to angler recruitment, with at least 75% of children who had fished in respondents’ ponds in previous years continuing to fish in future years. Agencies tasked with addressing angler recruitment and retention rates should consider implementing programs that support youth fishing outreach on privately owned ponds and lakes as another tool to combat decline participation rates.