Helping Shape Management Decisions
By Greg Power
Public input is critical in guiding the North Dakota Game and Fish Department with work activities and priorities. This input comes in many forms, ranging from face-to-face meetings, phone calls, emails, the list goes on. Another avenue that provides valuable input is the Department’s periodic angler preference/opinion surveys that are helpful in garnering additional input and better insight from the fishing public. These surveys date back to 1965 and are conducted about once every 3-8 years.
This past winter a survey (both electronic and mail) was sent to nearly 7,000 resident anglers licensed in 2022-23. The results are invaluable to the Department and, as always, will be used as part of the thought process in decision making. What follows are graphs (2023 information), trends and narrative explaining the usefulness of this information. Also note that these are just a few examples of the questions asked and angler responses.
What is your perspective regarding the number of fishing/boating facilities (e.g., boat ramps, docks, etc.) at North Dakota fishing waters?
Boating access facilities are important to many, especially as North Dakota surpassed the 70,000 mark in terms of licensed motorized watercraft in our state. Knowing the wants and needs of the fishing and boating public helps the Department plan accordingly for boating access in the years to come.
Which types of fishing did you participate in last year in North Dakota?
This information is insightful for the Department to better understand the fishing community and what all types of fishing they participate in. Similar or identical questions are asked approximately once every five years which helps the Department follow trends in fishing.
Do you prefer fishing regulations (e.g. season length, limits, methods, bait restrictions, etc.) that are more complex but lake specific, or simple but statewide?
Tracking angler desires in terms of a regulation framework is ultimately critical in obtaining full compliance of existing regulations. As has been the case for years, North Dakota anglers like fishing regulations that are simple and straightforward.
What is your opinion of the North Dakota fishing regulations (season length, limits, methods, bait restrictions, etc.)?
North Dakota anglers continue to express strong support for the current suite of fishing regulations. Again, public acceptance of regulations is essential to overall successful fishery management.
In your opinion, are aquatic nuisance species a problem for North Dakota waters? (Choose only one) (Aquatic nuisance species include Eurasian milfoil, zebra mussels, curlyleaf pondweed, spiny water fleas, etc.)
Aquatic nuisance species information acknowledgement is critical in understanding angler knowledge base and willingness to be in full compliance of existing regulations. This information helps guide the Department in targeted marketing and other means of communication to ensure all demographics are acquainted with ANS and their potential detrimental effects.
The Fisheries Division of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department does a good job of managing sport fishing in North Dakota?
Periodic surveys that ask the fishing public their opinions of the Department’s efforts to manage the state’s fishing resources provides insights into what management activities have worked and perhaps shortcomings needing additional attention. Fortunately, it appears North Dakota anglers support the Department’s approach to fisheries management in the past and today.
What species of fish, in order of preference, do you fish for most often during the North Dakota open water fishing season?
North Dakota anglers have been walleye driven for decades. Yellow perch and northern pike are a distant second and third over this time period. In the past 15 years or so, there has been a noted increase in angler interest for bluegill, crappie and channel catfish, but still remain far behind the big three of walleye, pike and perch.
Again, the Game and Fish Department encourages public input of any form. The next time you receive a Department request to complete a survey, we strongly encourage you to take a few minutes and participate. It does matter.