The U.S. Inland Creel and Angler Survey Catalog (CreelCat): Development, Applications, and Opportunities

Authors

Abigail J. Lynch, United States Geological SurveyFollow
Nicholas A. Sievert, University of Missouri
Holly S. Embke, United States Geological Survey
Ashley M. Robertson, George Mason University
Bonnie J.E. Myers, United States Geological Survey
Micheal S. Allen, University of Florida
Zachary S. Feiner, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Frederick Hoogakker, Tennessee Technological University
Scott Knoche, Morgan State University
Rebecca M. Krogman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Stephen R. Midway, Louisiana State University
Chelsey L. Nieman, Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Craig P. Paukert, University of Missouri
Kevin L. Pope, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mark W. Rogers, Tennessee Technological University
Lyndsie S. Wszola, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
T. Douglas Beard, United States Geological Survey

ORCID IDs

Abigail J. Lynch https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8449-8392

Nicholas A. Sievert https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3160-7596

Holly S. Embke https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9897-7068

Bonnie J. E. Myers https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3170-2633

Zachary S. Feiner https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7880-0778

Frederick Hoogakker https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6806-7549

Scott Knoche https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9941-5585

Rebecca M. Krogman https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1244-1490

Stephen R. Midway https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0162-1995

Chelsey L. Nieman https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7035-6040

Craig P. Paukert https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9369-8545

Kevin L. Pope https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1876-1687

Mark W. Rogers https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7205-5623

Lyndsie S. Wszola https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2660-2048

T. Douglas Beard Jr https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2632-2350

Date of this Version

11-1-2021

Citation

Fisheries Vol. 46 • No. 11 • November 2021, pp. 574-583

DOI: 10.1002/fsh.10671

Comments

This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Abstract

Inland recreational fishing, defined as primarily leisure-driven fishing in freshwaters, is a popular pastime in the USA. State natural resource agencies endeavor to provide high-quality and sustainable fishing opportunities for anglers. Managers often use creel and other angler survey data to inform state- and waterbody-level management efforts. Despite the broad implementation of angler surveys and their importance to fisheries management at state scales, regional and national coordination among these activities is minimal, limiting data applicability for larger-scale management practices and research. Here, we introduce the U.S. Inland Creel and Angler Survey Catalog (CreelCat), a first-of-its-kind, publicly available national database of angler survey data that establishes a baseline of national inland recreational fishing metrics. We highlight research and management applications to help support sustainable inland recreational fishing practices, consider cautions, and make recommendations for implementation.