The Social Context of Site Selection for Freshwater Fishing

Abstract

Previous research in recreation choice behavior suggests that the social unit of participation is important to recreationists in selecting where they go to participate. This paper focuses on preferences for attributes of angling sites and the role of social unit in those preferences. Based on the type of social unit an individual fished with most often (friends, family, family and friends together, or alone), preferences for 38 site attributes (physical–biological, social, and managerial) were solicited from a sample of 1,232 licensed Texas anglers. Analysis of variance detected significant differences (P < 0.05) on 15 site attributes. Results indicated anglers' preferences for site attributes varied with the social unit they fished with most often. Most differences detected were between anglers who fished alone and anglers who fished with family members. Most differences involved facilities, services, and resources that can be manipulated by managers. Differences were not detected for site attributes dealing with access, user fees, escape motivations, and chance of fishing success; anglers in all social units rated these important in site selection. This study has implications for planning, development, and management of fishing areas.