The Value of Steelhead (Onchorhynchus mykiss) Angling in Lake Erie Tributaries

Steelhead (Onchorhynchus mykiss) have been stocked in Ohio tributaries to Lake Erie for over a decade yet little information on the value of this fishery exists. A steelhead angler intercept survey was conducted in fall, winter, and spring of 2002-2003. Almost 77% of the anglers surveyed (375) responded to a mail survey with useful information. Typical steelhead anglers were 46 years old, middle class, male, and had 9 years steelhead angling experience. Less than two-thirds of respondents fished with spinning tackle and one-third used fly tackle. On average, individuals traveled with 1.7 people in their group. They mostly took single day trips (94% of respondents), traveling approximately 84 kilometers round trip. Steelhead catch rates are positively related to number of trips taken, angler experience, number of streams visited per trip, number of hours fished per trip, and type of tackle used. The value of the steelhead angling experience to participating anglers is estimated at $36 to $46 per trip while the money spent to participate in steelhead fishing is estimated at $26 per trip. Annual value of the Lake Erie tributary steelhead fishery in Ohio could be as high as $12 to $14 million compared to the $600,000 cost for the stocking program. The fishery provides economic benefits to the coastal areas where adequate access for stream steelhead anglers exists during parts of the year when recreational demand is lowest. This information can be used by policy makers to justify expenditures on stocking, public access, and water quality improvements that enhance angling.