Recreation specialization: Management preferences and behaviors of Upper Manistee River shoreline owner anglers (Michigan)

Recreation Specialization is a managerial tool for identifying and describing the diversity within an outdoor recreation activity. Understanding diversity helps managers match recreators with the appropriate resources and forecast reaction to proposed policy changes. This study explored the relationship between specialization levels of upper Manistee River shoreline owner anglers and their management preferences and political behaviors. The study area is located in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Specialization was measured through skill, equipment, commitment, and centrality to lifestyle. In this study, mail surveys and a reminder postcard were sent to all 601 shoreline owners, and 67% responded. Specialization level was linked to preference for stocking, fish habitat manipulation, and tackle restrictions, but was not linked to public access issues. Specialization level was linked to the number of political actions used but not whether or not action was taken. Results also showed that a small number of specialization indicators are capable of producing results similar to studies that used several indicators. The framework used in this study to measure and report specialization should make the specialization concept more intuitively understandable and easier to operationalize.