Research and Analysis of Fisheries in Illinois: Final Performance Report

Parkos, Joseph; van Riper, Carena; Stanhope, Kimberly; Joffe-Nelson, North; Dunn, Mary; Grimm, Logan; Holland, Steven; McNamara, Tommie; Transue, Adam

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129089 Copy

Description

Title

Research and Analysis of Fisheries in Illinois: Final Performance Report

Author(s)

• Parkos, Joseph
• van Riper, Carena
• Stanhope, Kimberly
• Joffe-Nelson, North
• Dunn, Mary
• Grimm, Logan
• Holland, Steven
• McNamara, Tommie
• Transue, Adam

Issue Date

2025-09-26

Keyword(s)

• Fisheries
• Sport fish
• Anglers
• Resource mangement
• Descision making
• Populatin dynamics
• Questionnaire
• Communication
• Management
• Outreach
• Online Communication
• Information needs
• Website
• Fishing license
• Recruitment
• Retention
• Attitudes
• Behavior
• Social psychological drivers
• Oxytetracycline
• Fresh Water
• Data Systems
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division

Date of Ingest

2025-09-24T11:03:14-05:00

Geographic Coverage

Illinois

Abstract

Fisheries managers are charged with understanding the interaction between sport fish populations and anglers to inform resource management decision making that supports and promotes healthy fisheries. Fundamental to this mission is easy access to long-term fisheries data, analytical tools and metrics that offer insight into the quality of a fishery, and an understanding of the factors that influence fish population dynamics. Equally important is the need to communicate this scientific knowledge and promote angling opportunities to the public. Project F-69-R has three overall goals: (1) conduct a variety of surveys and investigations that elucidate patterns of variation in sport fish populations and assess angler recruitment, retention, and reactivation, (2) communicate research findings and basic assessments of sport fish populations to the angling public, and (3) organize, manage, analyze and deliver sport fisheries data to researchers, sport fish managers, and the angling public. Basic and applied research studies, public outreach efforts, and data management activities all work in concert to create a better understanding of the restoration and conservation needs of sport fish populations in Illinois. Surveys and investigations conducted in Segment 38 were executed under Study 1 and Study 2. Summarized below, these studies were focused on two areas of sport fish restoration and management. First, the development of statistical models to explain how social and psychological factors predict the decision to participate in recreational angling in Illinois (Study 1). Second, an evaluation of methods for aging and the development of age-length keys for Walleye and Walleye-Sauger hybrids was completed (Study 2). Sport fish data sets are the building blocks that support research studies and outreach activities within Project F-69-R, making the collaborative collection, organization, analysis, and dissemination of sport fish information a critical component of the overall goals of this project. Project personnel have continued collaborations with IDNR Division of Fisheries to identify necessary modifications and improvements to the collection, storage, and retrieval of fisheries information by researchers, managers, and the public. In Study 3, project personnel developed and maintained web-based analytical features for researchers, sport fish managers, and the angling public. In Study 4, project personnel upgraded and maintained the I Fish website and related social media content in order to deliver information about fishing opportunities in Illinois to the angling public. Advancements in the I Fish Data Portal have led to significant progress toward placing more data management responsibility with the IDNR Division of Fisheries, while maintaining collaborative access to data for use in Project surveys and investigations. An online permit application system for fishing tournaments continues to be a valuable administrative tool that also generates data regarding the scale of tournament fishing in Illinois. Outreach activities under Study 4 primarily consist of the maintenance of the website www.ifishillinois.org. The website is a heavily visited, popular resource for anglers seeking information about sport fishing opportunities in Illinois. The site provides basic information about access, as well as science-based assessments about the quality of sport fishing in Illinois waters. Social media will continue to be utilized to promote and share information about sport fishing opportunities throughout Illinois. The website, social media, and public outreach activities are essential to sharing public data and information about sport fish populations and management in Illinois. The importance and value of Project F-69-R lies in the ability to be responsive to emerging sport fish management issues through research studies utilizing long-term sport fish data sets, followed by compelling and salient communications of those findings to the angling public. The Executive Summary provides a brief overview of the accomplishments of each job within the project, followed by more detailed reporting of the specific procedures, findings, and recommendations for future activities under this project.

Publisher

Illinois Natural History Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

INHS Technical Report 2025 (10)

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

technical report

Language

eng

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Federal Aid Project F-69-R Segment 38

Copyright and License Information

This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is required.

Owning Collections