Factors Influencing Satisfaction of Anglers on Lake Miltona, Minnesota

Abstract

Principal components analysis of motivations of anglers fishing in Lake Miltona, Minnesota, described four distinct components: outdoor, interactive, angling, and social motivations. Outdoor motivations were positively related to fishing and trip satisfaction, while angling motivations were negatively related to trip satisfaction. Fishing success, targeted species, and local residence also affected angler satisfaction; successful largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, walleye Stizostedion vitreum, and sunfish Lepomis spp. anglers all showed higher (P < 0.05) satisfactions than unsuccessful anglers, and sunfish anglers showed higher fishing satisfaction than walleye anglers. Anglers residing at resorts showed higher fishing satisfaction and higher satisfaction with number of fish caught than local anglers. The influence of motivations, success, and other variables such as local residence on angler satisfaction supports the theory that angling satisfaction varies among anglers with different characteristics. If satisfying anglers is to be a management goal, managers must consider which policies will be most effective for specific groups of anglers.