Exemption of Bass Tournaments from Fishing Regulations: An Opinion Survey

Abstract

A telephone survey was conducted regarding tournaments for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in Kansas reservoirs. A total of 297 Kansas licensed anglers were contacted and asked to be interviewed; these anglers were also respondents to the 1995 Kansas Licensed Angler Use and Preference Survey. Anglers were grouped into three categories: largemouth bass anglers in a sporting club (club), largemouth bass anglers not in a sporting club (nonclub), and nonlargemouth bass anglers not in a sporting club (general). Response rates for angler categories were 77% for club, 88% for nonclub, and 89% for general. More club anglers participated in fishing tournaments in Kansas than nonclub or general anglers. The majority of anglers in all angler categories either agreed or strongly agreed that fishing tournaments should be held on Kansas reservoirs. The majority of anglers in all angler categories disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “Fishing tournaments for largemouth bass in Kansas that require live release should not have to follow the 18-inch length limit.” Similarly, respondents in all angler categories disagreed that largemouth bass fishing tournaments should be exempt from current creel limits. These data provide important information for managing largemouth bass fishing tournaments on Kansas reservoirs.