Green Bay Anglers Sought for Fishery Study

Starting Saturday, anglers who fish in Green Bay will be asked to participate in a new study designed to calculate the social, recreational and economic impact of the region’s fishery. Given the area’s world-class walleye fishing, Great Lakes spotted musky population, whitefish, bass, yellow perch, trout and salmon opportunities, the impact is significant. Green Bay represents a key destination for the 178,000 in-state and out-of-state anglers who participate in Wisconsin’s Great Lakes sportfishing each year. According to the most recent data from the American Sportfishing Association, in 2011 these anglers contributed more than $114 million in direct retail expenditures and more than $12.5 million in state and local taxes. The research project’s collaborators – including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; faculty from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; and members of Walleyes for Tomorrow – believe the impact is growing in size and scope in northeastern Wisconsin. The study will continue over the coming year and examine all types of fishing throughout warm and cold weather seasons. The surveys are being returned to UW-Whitewater’s Fiscal and Economic Research Center, which provides economic analysis for the state of Wisconsin and coordination for the project. Mike Arrowood, chairman of Walleyes for Tomorrow, said support for the study fits well with the group’s long-term commitment to the region’s fishery. The survey will cover Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette and Oconto counties.