| Supplemental stocking with hatchery-reared fish is often used in an attempt to solve an overexploitation problem. This is the case for this principal study lake, Lake Nipissing. Although stocking has been extensively practised, the overall effectiveness of this practice has not been evaluated.; A mail-out questionnaire was used to sample Lake Nipissing anglers' opinions and willingness to pay for stocking practices. Ontario nonresident and American tourist recreational anglers demonstrated a moderate willingness to pay for walleye stocking practices to improve their current daily catch rate. Local recreational anglers, however, did not demonstrate the same willingness to pay, supporting instead the status quo option: no additional cost, no stocked walleye, maintaining their current daily catch rate.; The data collected in this study suggest that increased licence fees needed to cover the colt of stocking walleye will result in heightened catch rate expectations of American tourist and Ontario nonresident anglers. However, stocking activities may not equate to benefits that local anglers seek in a fishing experience. Therefore, fisheries' managers should carefully evaluate all potential management options to ensure that stocking is the option best suited to address the needs of all stakeholders. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
