Long-term trends in angler harvest at a tailwater Rainbow Trout Fishery

Objective Understanding how angler harvest behaviors change through time and in relation to different management regulations is essential for effective fisheries management. The factors that influence an angler’s decision to harvest fish are likely complex and are currently poorly understood. This study used data collected from a long-term creel program to examine how angler harvest rates at a western tailwater trout fishery have changed through time and in relation to changing management regulations. Methods We analyzed over 40 years of creel survey data (1977–2024) from a tailwater Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fishery in the American Southwest to assess how angler harvest rates have changed over time and how gear choice and regulations may have influenced harvest decisions. We calculated daily harvest rates for groups of anglers and individual anglers when possible and used a Bayesian generalized linear model framework to look for differences in harvest rates under different management regulations and gear types. Results Angler harvest rates declined during the study. Significant differences in angler harvest rates were observed between angler groups using different gears. Anglers using fly-fishing gear were observed to have the lowest harvest rates, followed by anglers using spinning gear. Anglers using bait had the highest harvest rates over the course of the study. Additionally, differences in harvest rates were observed under different management regulations. Anglers harvested less fish when restrictive maximum length limits were in place for harvested fish. A less pronounced difference was observed in harvest rates related to the number of fish anglers were allowed to harvest, with anglers more likely to harvest their entire limit when the allowable harvest limit was higher. A significant shift in predominant gear type occurred in the fishery over the course of study, which suggests that some anglers may have been displaced by changing management regulations. Conclusion A declining harvest rate over time at Lees Ferry suggests angler’s attitudes towards harvest have changed, but harvest behavior still appeared to be related to management regulations and angler gear choices. This change in harvest behavior was likely further increased by harvest-oriented anglers being displaced by restrictive harvest and gear regulations. Consideration of these factors may be beneficial for fisheries management decisions.