The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Fishing Activity Reduced by Access Problems
More than one-quarter of U.S. anglers report their fishing activities have been reduced by problems accessing their preferred fishing holes.

In a 2008 poll of over 1,800 anglers by AnglerSurvey.com, anglers were asked if in the past year they had canceled a trip or stopped fishing specific locations due to access problems.

Of the anglers reporting such problems, 80 percent reported their access issues were in freshwater areas while 15% experienced access issues in saltwater locations.

Of all anglers, 10 percent either reduced their fishing activity or stopped fishing altogether.

Here's a snapshot of their answers:

In the past year, have you ever had to cancel a trip or stop fishing specific fishing locations because you could no longer access it?

- Yes 28%
- No 72%

Was your access problem related to:
- Saltwater fishing 15%
- Freshwater fishing 80%
- Brackfish water fishing 3%
- Do not know 2%

As a result of your access problem, did you:
- Continue to fish at the same rate and frequency as before 62%
- Not go fishing at all 4%
- Fish less frequently 33%
- Stop fishing altogether 1%

Source: AnglerSurvey.com is a monthly national online survey of sportsmen and women providing industry and policymakers with information on fishing trends and activity. Provided to The Fishing Wire by Rob Southwick ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

so long as they don't get caught whizzing alongside the path

This access problem is a function of the American plutocracy and the destructive nature of the accumulation of wealth. Viva la Proletariat! Death to the capitalists!!

Hey, did you see the Dow today? 420 points.

bruce you really need to go fishing!

I get to cast for bluegill next month during a club casting clinic, then I might get to cast for hatchery dinks while teaching 3 children and 2 adults how to fish, then nothing until the end of June.

Gotta work.

Life is so cruel!