A creel survey in action (photo credit: AFS).
Guest post: Logan Neu, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
A creel survey (also known as an angler survey) is a type of in-person survey performed by resource managers where an interviewer asks an angler questions about their fishing experience including questions such as the duration of the trip, how many fish they caught, and if they were satisfied with their experience. The interviewer may also ask about the angler’s thoughts about a future management decision. Additionally, harvested fish are counted and measured.
Creel surveys are performed to gain insight about recreational angling perceptions, efforts, and harvests in order to inform future decision making. Creel surveys are a valuable tool for fisheries managers to use in understanding the systems they manage and how the public interacts with them.