Strategic Planning for Catfish Angling in the Future: An Example from Urban Iowa

Ictalurid catfish have a long history of popularity in Iowa fisheries, but recent changes have highlighted the need to investigate catfish angling interest and potential for future growth. Ictalurid catfish were superseded by other taxa for the first time in recent statewide angler surveys, putting their importance into question. Ongoing urbanization in Iowa was associated with reduced interest in angling and specifically in catfish angling. We sought to determine demographic characteristics, preferences, and constraints of potential anglers, lapsed catfish anglers, active catfish anglers, and non‐catfish anglers and to predict where catfish angling had the greatest potential for growth. A survey of urban areas was conducted in 2018; questions included interest and past experience fishing in Iowa, target species, characteristics of an ideal fishing trip, interest in various programs, and constraints to fishing participation. A total of 693 responses were obtained, yielding a 27.7% response rate. Catfish anglers were predominantly male, middle aged, and White, and interest in catfish angling was best explained by gender, age, and rurality (i.e., urban/rural background). Interest level (i.e., potential, lapsed, active, or non‐catfish angler) was related to ideal trip factors, program preferences, and constraints, with active catfish anglers being significantly different in numerous aspects from lapsed, potential, and non‐catfish anglers. Based on their description of an ideal fishing trip, some potential anglers were predicted to be similar to active catfish anglers, while others would be similar to lapsed anglers. Spatial prediction of interest based on Tapestry segment composition revealed patterns of interest in both Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus and Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris, which were repeated across cities. Our findings suggested numerous differences between active catfish anglers and those who may be recruited or reactivated; these differences translate into dissimilar management actions and interventions. We conclude that catfish angling can grow in Iowa’s urban centers, but recruitment and retention strategies should be specific to both audience and place.