Opinions, preferences shape wildlife programs

By Ed Godfrey

Published: August 12, 2007

Bass fishermen will be in denial, but crappie is the most sought after fish by Oklahoma anglers.

Every five years, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation conducts a survey of anglers in the state, asking them questions such as what species they prefer, why they fish, how far they travel to fish, what is their favorite method of fishing, etc., etc.

"What we are really after with this survey is opinions and preferences so we can adjust or shape our programs to meet customer needs,” said Greg Summers, supervisor of the Fisheries Research Laboratory in Norman.

And in every survey since its inception more than 40 years ago, largemouth bass always has been rated by Oklahoma anglers as the most preferred species.

Until now. Crappie, which had always been the second choice of anglers, is now top dog. Undoubtedly, many bass anglers are in disbelief.

How could this be true? Was this survey taken exclusively on Lake Eufaula? Was it limited to those anglers who get the senior discount at IHOP?

Not so, says Summers. "We make sure we haven't sampled too many older folks or younger folks,” he said.

According to Summers, the result cannot be an error. The survey is based on scientific sampling, he said.

But he can't explain why crappie has usurped largemouth bass, other than to speculate that last year's drought and rising fuel costs might have had something to do with the change in preference.

"I really don't know,” he said. "This was based on what was happening in 2006. It doesn't mean 2006 was a normal year. It's just an interesting sidebar to this whole survey.”

The survey also provided some other interesting data.

For example, fuel prices are causing people to go fishing less. Catching a lot of fish or a big fish is not the primary reason most people go fishing.

While bass tournaments get a lot of attention in Oklahoma, only a small percentage of anglers in the state actually fish in them.

The following are some of the survey results:

• Ninety-two percent of Oklahoma anglers have never fished in a bass tournament. Only 1.5 percent fish "regularly” and 5.4 percent fish "occasionally” in bass tournaments.

• One in six anglers fished a lot less in 2006 because of higher fuel costs.

• One in four fished a lot less in 2006 because of the drought.

• Three out of four go fishing primarily to enjoy the outdoors and nature.

• Two out of four go fishing primarily to be with family and friends.

• One in three anglers said catching fish to eat was important.

• Only one in four go fishing to catch a big fish or a lot of fish.

• Most people fish from a boat (48 percent); 43 percent from the bank; less than 6 percent from a dock or pier; and 3 percent from a float tube or while wading.

• Most anglers prefer to fish at reservoirs or small lakes. Farm ponds is the next most popular fishing hole, followed by rivers, streams and creeks, wildlife department lakes and tailwaters.

• The most popular method of fishing: using a rod and reel baited with artificial lures. Other methods – in order of preference – are rod and reel with natural bait, fly fishing, juglining, trotlining, gigging and noodling.

The bottom-feeders are noodlers. What irony.

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