University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A Survey of Sport Fishing in the Illinois Portion of Lake Michigan

Brofka, Wayne A.; Czesny, Sergiusz J.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/18178

Description

Title
A Survey of Sport Fishing in the Illinois Portion of Lake Michigan
Author(s)
  • Brofka, Wayne A.
  • Czesny, Sergiusz J.
Issue Date
2008-05-09
Keyword(s)
  • Lake Michigan
  • creel survey
  • yellow perch
  • angling
  • salmon
  • INHS Division of Ecology and Conservation Science
  • Division of Fisheries, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
  • Science in support of ecosystem management and conservation
  • Science in support of environmental regulation
  • Science in support of state fish, wildlife and outdoor recreational programs
  • Science in support of understanding biodiversity and organismal ecology and life histories
Abstract
A survey of sport fishing in the Illinois portion of Lake Michigan was conducted from April 1 to September 30, 2007. The survey covered all legal sport fishing during that period excluding fishing from chartered boats and smelt fishing. It included angling by pedestrians and fishing from boats. The intent of the survey was to provide reliable estimates of sport fishing activity, sport fish harvest, expenditures for sport fishing, and the quality and distribution of sport fishing. Estimated total fishing effort for pedestrians and boaters was 478,000 angler-hours. Estimated total harvest included 305,600 yellow perch, 1,700 brown trout, 2,400 rainbow trout, 1,000 lake trout, 30,900 coho salmon, and 10,500 chinook salmon. Estimated expenditures for boats, motors, trailers, fishing gear, and automobile gas were over $8.3 million. The yield value of the sport fishing harvest was approximately $2.4 million. One additional special survey was conducted. From March 1 to March 31 an early season survey was conducted at Waukegan Harbor, Montrose Harbor and Calumet Park for pedestrian anglers and Waukegan Harbor and Calumet Park for launched-boat anglers. Anglers from both groups fished a total of 14,000 hours and harvested 10,500 yellow perch, 1,150 brown trout, 9 rainbow trout and 480 coho salmon. Estimated expenditures for boats, motors, trailers, fishing gear, and automobile gas were over $68,000.
Publisher
Division of Ecology and Conservation Science
Series/Report Name or Number
  • Technical Report INHS 2008 (16)
  • Survey of Sport Fishing in the Illinois Portion of Lake Michigan
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18178
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
INHS Technical Report Prepared for Division of Fisheries, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Copyright and License Information
This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

Owning Collections

Technical Reports - Illinois Natural History Survey PRIMARY
Reports produced by INHS staff, usually as deliverables for assessment projects funded by federal or state agencies or non-governmental organizations.