Fish and Wildlife
Survey says … !
Feature story posted on September 13, 2007
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Canadian anglers have discovered what Albertans have long known: The walleye is king of all recreational sport fish.
That’s one of the findings of the Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, 2005, which was released in late August by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The walleye was the “most predominant species” caught across the country in 2005, according to the survey, surpassing trout for the first time.
But Albertans have longed loved the walleye, says David Park, a fisheries biologist with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. It’s been the most-desired sport fish in Alberta for at least 20 years.
In addition to being highly valued as table fare, Park partly attributes the growing national prestige of the walleye to the power of television. “I also believe it’s a result of the profile that walleye have received on televised fishing shows,” he says. A growth in walleye tournaments in the Eastern U.S. and Canada further boosted the fish’s popularity amongst anglers.
The national survey also found that Alberta anglers are enjoying the benefits of the province’s booming economy. Angler for angler, Albertans outspent their counterparts from coast to coast on boats, camping gear and other big-ticket items related to recreational fishing. Alberta anglers spent nearly $1,500 per capita on major fishing-related equipment in 2005, almost double the national average of $799.
And while active Alberta anglers made up 7.3% of the national active angler population, they accounted for 11% of all major purchases or investments related to recreational fishing among active Canadian anglers in 2005.
Park says that Albertans are also spending more money than ever hiring guides, purchasing angling packages and staying at fishing lodges. “There are two ways to be successful,” he says. “You can put in the time and find the fishing holes yourself, or you can pay someone to take you there. It’s a testament to the boom.”
In fact, Alberta anglers are spending more money pursuing their love of sportfishing than at any time in the last 30 years.
Alberta is also the best place in Canada to be a fish. Only 13% of fish caught in Alberta are retained or harvested. The other 87% of fish are caught and released. Ontario and Manitoba had the second highest catch-and-release numbers with 78% of fish reeled in being put back in the water.
Web link: Sportfishing in Alberta 2005
