5-year Utah Angling Survey
Purpose and Research Questions
Since 1967, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has surveyed anglers approximately every 5 years to assess angler activity in Utah. Previous work with these data provided descriptive and basic information that is valuable for understanding angler characteristics. However, with the growing recognition of the human role in fisheries management, more applied, in-depth, and analytical approaches are needed to help managers at DWR make science-informed decisions about fisheries and fishery resources in the state. The Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism has worked closely with the DWR to develop an online survey instrument that addresses three critical research questions; these questions are:
- What are the major types of anglers and angling experiences in Utah?
- What are the travel behaviors of anglers in Utah?
- What are anglers’ knowledge and perceptions of native and non-native fish species?
- What are the constraints and barriers that lead to a lapse in fishing license renewal in Utah?
Answering these questions will help guide the decisions of the agency's fisheries program for the next 5 years. For example, with a better understanding of the types of anglers and preferred angling experiences within the state, the DWR can allocate resources (fish, infrastructure, education, etc.) in ways that allow for supply to meet the needs of Utah's angling public.
Timeline
The online survey will be administered four times throughout the year to independent random samples of 15,000 licensed Utah anglers. The first wave of surveys was sent in late July 2021 and the last wave will be sent in April 2022. Preliminary results will be compiled and shared here after each wave. A final cumulative report will be released in 2022 documenting the findings from the entire study.
Project Leads
Jordan W. Smith, Director of the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
Will Rempel, MS Student, Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
Chase Lamborn, Assistant Director of Visitor Use Monitoring and Management
Jordan Smith
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Specialist
Environment and Society Dept
Chase Lamborn
Assistant Director
Quinney College of Natural Resourcs
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