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Nova Scotia

Question 1. Of the total days fished, how many were spent fishing during the winter fishery (January to March) in Nova Scotia in 2005?
  Winter fishery Ice fishing
Resident 13,493 42,979
Canadian nonresident 0 0
Other nonresident 0 0
Total 13,493 42,979

Of the days fished in freshwater, how many were spent fishing for Atlantic salmon in Nova Scotia in 2005?
  Number of days fished
Resident 15,912
Canadian nonresident 1,464
Other nonresident 3,747
Total 21,123

Question 6. Please estimate the percentage of time you spent using the following gear types in Nova Scotia in 2005. (%)
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Lures 20.6 17.7 14.9 20.4
Bait 38.7 23.9 6.0 37.7
Lure and bait 17.7 9.3 2.8 17.2
Flies 23.0 49.0 76.2 24.7

Question 7. Bait used in Nova Scotia in 2005.
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No bait used 5,841 659 708 7,208
Worms 32,970 490 84 33,544
Minnows caught 7,068 46 10 7,124
Minnows bought 9,088 41 25 9,154
Synthetics 9,338 32 48 9,418
Other 7,123 61 46 7,230

Question 8. Please estimate the percentage of time you spent using the following fishing methods in Nova Scotia in 2005. (%)
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Dock/shore 43.0 29.6 18.2 42.2
Wading 16.5 45.5 68.4 18.2
Boat 40.5 24.8 13.4 39.6

If you fished from a boat in Nova Scotia in 2005, how was the boat placed in the water? (Residents Only):
  Number of anglers
No response 167
Moored 2,216
Launched from a boat launch 4,560
Lauched from shore 21,075
Total 28,018

If you launched a boat in Nova Scotia in 2005, how would you rate the boat launch facilities in Nova Scotia?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No response 8,994 104 43 9,141
Excellent 494 0 21 515
Very good 1,353 42 30 1,425
Good 6,012 180 56 6,248
Fair 6,839 62 6 6,907
Poor 4,325 48 10 4,383
Total 28,017 436 166 28,619

Question 10a). If you fished in Nova Scotia in 2000, how would you rate the fishing in 2005 compared to 2000?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No response 3,044 212 318 3,574
Did not fish in 2000 5,409 560 320 6,289
Improved 4,631 42 52 4,725
Remained the same 11,804 210 120 12,134
Declined 18,886 173 64 19,123
Total 43,774 1,197 874 45,845

Question 10b). If you feel that fishing has declined in Nova Scotia, how would you rate the following factors as reasons for this decline?
Reasons by Angler Groups No response Not important Somewhat important Important Very important Extremely important Total
Overfishing
Resident 4,351 5,244 1,423 2,838 2,012 3,018 18,886
Canadian non-resident 47 61 11 27 5 22 173
Other Non-resident 16 17 0 5 6 21 65
Total 4,414 5,322 1,434 2,870 2,023 3,061 19,124
Poaching
Resident 4,351 7,727 1,548 2,037 1,473 1,750 18,886
Canadian non-resident 47 73 0 27 10 16 173
Other Non-resident 16 12 12 11 5 9 65
Total 4,414 7,812 1,560 2,075 1,488 1,775 19,124
Pollution
Resident 4,351 2,424 1,202 3,083 3,122 4,704 18,886
Canadian non-resident 47 67 6 10 22 22 174
Other Non-resident 16 22 0 5 6 15 64
Total 4,414 2,513 1,208 3,098 3,150 4,741 19,124
Access problems
Resident 4,351 10,210 1,851 804 619 1,051 18,886
Canadian non-resident 47 94 10 11 6 6 174
Other Non-resident 16 32 10 6 0 0 64
Total 4,414 10,336 1,871 821 625 1,057 19,124
Habitat degradation
Resident 4,351 3,691 1,745 2,103 2,202 4,794 18,886
Canadian non-resident 47 73 10 0 16 27 173
Other Non-resident 16 12 9 5 5 18 65
Total 4,414 3,776 1,764 2,108 2,223 4,839 19,124
Introduced stocks
Resident 4,351 6,923 1,731 1,715 1,092 3,074 18,886
Canadian non-resident 47 82 11 6 6 22 174
Other Non-resident 16 22 10 5 0 11 64
Total 4,414 7,027 1,752 1,726 1,098 3,107 19,124

Question 10c). For anglers whose fishing remained the same, improved or who did not fish in 2000, factors rated for improving fishing
Factors by Angler Group No response Not important Somewhat important Important Very important Extremely important Total
Shorter seasons
Resident 1,711 15,365 1,495 1,664 609 1,001 21,845
Canadian non-resident 112 544 51 95 0 9 811
Other Non-resident 95 296 30 61 10 0 492
Total 1,918 16,205 1,576 1,820 619 1,010 23,148
Longer seasons
Resident 1,711 12,632 1,259 2,558 882 2,802 21,844
Canadian non-resident 112 507 47 69 47 30 812
Other Non-resident 95 274 31 45 16 32 493
Total 1,918 13,413 1,337 2,672 945 2,864 23,149
Modify bag limits
Resident 1,711 8,986 1,703 3,646 2,081 3,718 21,845
Canadian non-resident 112 440 45 129 44 41 811
Other Non-resident 95 191 42 58 15 92 493
Total 1,918 9,617 1,790 3,833 2,140 3,851 23,149
Improve habitat
Resident 1,711 3,458 1,086 3,161 3,559 8,870 21,845
Canadian non-resident 112 148 22 115 102 313 812
Other Non-resident 95 111 10 56 61 160 493
Total 1,918 3,717 1,118 3,332 3,722 9,343 23,150
Increased enforcement
Resident 1,711 3,475 691 3,255 2,920 9,792 21,844
Canadian non-resident 112 160 34 156 46 303 811
Other Non-resident 95 112 22 65 30 169 493
Total 1,918 3,747 747 3,476 2,996 10,264 23,148
Better stocking
Resident 1,711 3,275 1,158 3,720 3,588 8,391 21,843
Canadian non-resident 112 158 36 148 89 268 811
Other Non-resident 95 124 33 76 34 131 493
Total 1,918 3,557 1,227 3,944 3,711 8,790 23,147
Better access
Resident 1,711 10,292 2,108 3,588 1,631 2,514 21,844
Canadian non-resident 112 408 60 134 26 71 811
Other Non-resident 95 258 26 58 25 30 492
Total 1,918 10,958 2,194 3,780 1,682 2,615 23,147
More size limits
Resident 1,711 9,373 2,881 4,152 1,926 1,801 21,844
Canadian non-resident 112 429 90 83 50 47 811
Other Non-resident 95 207 53 60 16 62 493
Total 1,918 10,009 3,024 4,295 1,992 1,910 23,148
Increase facilities
Resident 1,711 9,597 2,494 2,651 2,468 2,923 21,844
Canadian non-resident 112 449 60 97 51 42 811
Other Non-resident 95 279 52 41 10 15 492
Total 1,918 10,325 2,606 2,789 2,529 2,980 23,147
Special regulations
Resident 1,711 10,961 1,555 3,087 1,549 2,981 21,844
Canadian non-resident 112 331 36 181 41 112 813
Other Non-resident 95 143 36 67 31 120 492
Total 1,918 11,435 1,627 3,335 1,621 3,213 23,149

Question 11. Why would your fishing activity have declined in Nova Scotia in 2005?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Poor fishing quality 7,414 48 37 7,498
No time 7,678 37 10 7,725
Health reasons 2,235 20 0 2,255
Family responsibilities 4,230 22 6 4,257
Complex regs 1,547 0 0 1,547
Lack of info 409 6 0 414
Financial reasons 2,853 6 0 2,859
Other interests 2,800 22 0 2,822
Other reasons 2,938 43 16 2,998
Total 15,933 131 58 16,123

Question 12. Are you aware of the stocking programs in Nova Scotia?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Yes 25,940 277 244 26,461
No 17,835 921 631 19,387
Total 43,775 1,198 875 45,848

Did you know which lakes/rivers were stocked in your fishing areas in Nova Scotia in 2005?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No response 0 0 10 10
Yes 13,706 59 69 13,834
No 12,234 218 165 12,617
Total 25,940 277 244 26,461

What percentage of your time fishing was directed to stocked lakes/rivers in Nova Scotia in 2005?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Time spent fishing in stocked lakes/rivers (%) 22.1 84.1 65.4 22.6

Question 13. Do you agree with holding organized fishing events (derbies and tournaments) in Nova Scotia?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No response 0 81 81 162
Yes 34,124 707 381 35,212
No 9,651 410 412 10,473
Total 43,775 1,198 874 45,847

Did you participate in any organized fishing events in Nova Scotia in 2005?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No response 355 6 0 361
Yes 3,606 10 6 3,622
No 30,163 691 375 31,229
Total 34,124 707 381 35,212

How many organized fishing events did you enter in Nova Scotia in 2005?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Fishing events entered (nombre) 7,464 20 6 7,490
Average per angler (events) 2.1 1.0 1.0 2.1

Question 14. Were you aware of the Nova Scotia Sportfishing Weekend (June 4 - 5, 2005)?
  Number of anglers
Yes 28,379
No 15,396
Total 43,775

Please indicate your information source(s) for this event.
  Number of anglers
Radio 5,341
Print media 11,797
Posters or brochures 2,476
Angler Handbook 19,242
Website 1,699
Other 3,271
Total 28,379

Did you participate in this event?
  Number of anglers Percentage
No response 589 2.1
Yes 4,704 16.6
No 23,086 81.3
Total 28,379 100.0

Was your participation a factor in buying a fishing licence in 2005?
  Number of anglers Percentage
No response 68 1.5
Yes 637 13.5
No 3,998 85.0
Total 4,704 100.0

Question 15. Were you aware of the National Fishing Week promotion covering July 2-10, 2005?
  Number of anglers
Yes 9,698
No 34,077
Total 43,775

Please indicate your information source(s) for the National Fishing Week promotion.
  Number of anglers
TV 1,829
Radio 2,362
Print media 4,487
Posters or brochures 1,822
Other 1,742
Total 9,698

Did you go fishing in Nova Scotia during National Fishing Week as a result of the promotion?
  Number of anglers
Yes 1,569
No 8,129
Total 9,698

Question 17. Assessment of angler skill.
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No response 1,747 9 36 1,792
Expert 1,974 63 95 2,132
Experienced 21,748 595 407 22,750
Average 20,071 443 278 20,792
Beginner 3,135 117 89 3,341
Total 48,675 1,227 905 50,807

Question 18. Of the species available in Nova Scotia, rate your top three in order of preference.
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Brook trout 118,745 2,448 1,261 122,455
Rainbow trout 33,409 874 517 34,800
Brown trout 17,799 616 401 18,816
Smallmouth bass 23,219 419 238 23,876
Atlantic salmon 21,565 1,452 1,690 24,706
Landlocked salmon 1,513 33 75 1,621
Yellow perch 1,550 60 43 1,654
White perch 3,197 146 5 3,348
Pickerel 2,139 53 5 2,197
Smelt 6,181 46 0 6,227
Striped bass 9,291 81 36 9,409
Mackerel 13,454 125 52 13,631
Cod 1,724 42 0 1,766
Shad 2,691 30 9 2,730
Other freshwater fish 323 0 28 351
Other saltwater fish 1,495 10 14 1,520
Total 45,708 1,167 823 47,698

Question 18. If there had been no fishing opportunities in Nova Scotia in 2005, what would you have done? (non-residents)
  Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
No response 24 0 24
Stayed a shorter time 245 98 343
Substituted other activities 671 515 1,186
Not come to Nova Scotia 257 262 519
Total 1,197 875 2,072

Question 19. Were you a member of an organized angling group or association in 2005?
  Number of anglers Percentage
No response 1,940 4.0
Yes 3,902 8.0
No 42,832 88.0
Total 48,674 100.0

Question 20. How much personal time did you give to volunteer work in support of Nova Scotia's recreational fishery in 2005? (Residents Only)
  Total
Number of anglers who volunteered 4,273
Number of volunteer days 35,978
Average (volunteer days per angler) 8.4

Question 21. How often did you use the following sources of information when looking for fishing information in Nova Scotia?
Source by Angler Group No response Did not use Sometimes Often Total
Web
Resident 3,791 27,866 6,270 2,862 40,789
Canadian non-resident 36 585 98 158 877
Other Non-resident 48 242 101 137 528
Total 3,875 28,693 6,469 3,157 42,194
Newspapers
Resident 3,791 28,898 5,750 2,350 40,789
Canadian non-resident 36 798 43 0 877
Other Non-resident 48 436 45 0 529
Total 3,875 30,132 5,838 2,350 42,195
Tackle shops
Resident 3,791 24,301 9,400 3,297 40,789
Canadian non-resident 36 621 155 65 877
Other Non-resident 48 272 143 65 528
Total 3,875 25,194 9,698 3,427 42,194
Sports shows
Resident 3,791 29,820 5,195 1,983 40,789
Canadian non-resident 36 780 61 0 877
Other Non-resident 48 456 25 0 529
Total 3,875 31,056 5,281 1,983 42,195
Clubs/associations
Resident 3,791 33,616 2,022 1,359 40,788
Canadian non-resident 36 784 36 21 877
Other Non-resident 48 453 18 9 528
Total 3,875 34,853 2,076 1,389 42,193
Family and friends
Resident 3,791 10,812 12,688 13,498 40,789
Canadian non-resident 36 150 155 535 876
Other Non-resident 48 159 130 192 529
Total 3,875 11,121 12,973 14,225 42,194
Licence vendors
Resident 3,791 31,214 3,716 2,068 40,789
Canadian non-resident 36 626 163 52 877
Other Non-resident 48 310 90 81 529
Total 3,875 32,150 3,969 2,201 42,195
Angler handbook
Resident 3,791 11,658 12,123 13,217 40,789
Canadian non-resident 36 484 186 171 877
Other Non-resident 48 255 130 96 529
Total 3,875 12,397 12,439 13,484 42,195
Other sources
Resident 3,791 33,670 2,169 1,158 40,788
Canadian non-resident 36 763 58 20 877
Other Non-resident 48 411 49 21 529
Total 3,875 34,844 2,276 1,199 42,194

Question 29. How many members of your household under 16 years of age fished for recreation, for species other than Atlantic salmon, in Nova Scotia in 2005 and how many days in total did they fish?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Anglers (number) 12,515 207 48 12,770
Days fished (number) 82,691 589 161 83,441
Average per angler (days fished) 6.6 2.8 3.4 6.5

What species did they prefer to fish for?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Brook trout 8,572 121 53 8,746
Rainbow trout 1,654 16 26 1,696
Brown trout 977 33 5 1,015
Smallmouth bass 3,304 26 6 3,336
Atlantic salmon 236 15 24 275
Landlocked salmon 0 6 0 6
Yellow perch 718 21 6 744
White perch 513 26 0 539
Pickerel 740 0 0 740
Smelt 636 20 0 656
Striped bass 676 0 10 686
Mackerel 1,646 20 6 1,671
Cod 233 0 0 233
Shad 400 0 0 400
Other freshwater fish 74 0 0 74
Other saltwater fish 74 5 0 79
Total 10,005 142 79 10,226

How were they introduced to fishing?
  Resident Canadian Non-resident Other Non-resident Total
Family or friends 10,115 213 185 10,512
School 73 0 0 73
Recreation clubs 308 0 0 308
Other 454 50 20 524
Total 10,192 253 204 10,649
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