ANGLER SURVEY CONTRIBUTES TO SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE MODIFICATION OF HARVEST REGULATIONS TO PRESERVE CUTTHROAT TROUT FISHERY IN SNAKE RIVER, WYOMING, USA

This is a case study that describes a survey of anglers that was used to assist in modifying fishing regulations for indigenous trout in the Snake River, Wyoming. A mail survey of anglers who purchased 1991 Wyo ming fishing licenses in the two counties adjacent to the Snake River was conducted during fall 1992. Differences in angler preferences were noted between anglers who purchased licenses in two adjacent counties with different socioeconomic structures, as well as between residents and nonresidents in each county. Anglers who purchased licenses in Te ton County, where there is extensive tourism and immigration by relati vely wealthy residents, tended to be more specialized and less harvest oriented. Anglers in Lincoln County, which is largely agricultural an d has substantially less tourism and immigration of residents, tended to fish in many different ways and indicated more desire to harvest fi sh. Anglers from the two counties segregated themselves; those from Te ton County primarily used the upstream portion of the study reach, and those from Lincoln County primarily used a short downstream portion o f the reach. Modification of fishing regulations to reduce harvest of spawning-size cutthroat trout in the Snake River probably was acceptab le to most anglers due to spatial segregation and their attitudes towa rd harvest.