Recent Survey of TU Members

Angler Motivations, Preferences, and Attitudes towards Stocking and Protection of Wild Brook Trout Fisheries
Data collected and compiled by Michael Brunson, in partial fulfillment of Master’s Thesis at Prescott College, AZ.
Overview
Surveys were distributed to Trout Unlimited (TU) members in seven randomly selected states in an effort to understand angler motivations, awareness of, and attitudes about their state’s stocking practices and protection of wild brook trout fisheries. The states selected were within the eastern brook trout’s native range, involved with the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV), and included West Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, Maryland, and North Carolina. Survey results indicated that, while the majority of TU members expressed a strong understanding of their states stocking practices, they were still strongly interested in gaining additional information, indicating a need for more transparency regarding stocking habits and practices. Furthermore, survey results indicated that a large percentage of TU members still enjoy fishing for popular, nonnative, sport fish such as bass and brown trout. Additionally, support for policies protecting wild brook trout diminished as opportunities for catching larger fish diminished along with the removal of popular, nonnative sport fish. More info at TU Survey Results

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