Hearing Voices from the Silent Majority: A Comparison of Preferred Fish Stocking Outcomes for Lake Huron by Anglers from Representative and Convenience Samples

Abstract

We used stated-preference choice models to examine Ontario anglers' preferred outcomes from fish stocking of Lake Huron and variations in these preferences between a random and a convenience sample. Anglers preferred outcomes that decreased risks of fish stock collapses and increased native prey fish species, average fish size, and species abundance especially for walleye (Sander vitreus) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Anglers from a convenience sample that likely participate in typical consultation efforts for fisheries management were more supportive of outcomes that favored Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and less supportive of outcomes that favored lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) or walleye than were anglers from a random sample. From a managerial perspective, the results suggest profound differences, as a silent majority of Lake Huron anglers supported a lake trout rehabilitation outcome while Lake Huron anglers who typically voice their perspectives to managers preferred outcomes that emphasize the non-native Chinook salmon.