The Recreational Ice Fishing and Ancillary Retail Communities on a Northern Latitude Lake: Yet-to-be-served Extension Audiences?

Authors

Mark Malchoff, Lake Champlain Sea Grant/LCRI, Plattsburgh State University of NY (Retired)Follow
Nate Trachte, Lake Champlain Sea Grant/LCRI, Plattsburgh State University of New York
Kristine Stepenuck, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, University of Vermont

Volume

62

Issue

1

DOI

10.34068/joe.62.01.04

Abstract

Ice fishing communities appear to be poorly described in Sea Grant Extension programming and planning documents. An intercept survey (N=52) of L. Champlain anglers revealed a broad age range and decades of participation. Opinions about spatial and temporal declines in ice cover were unrelated to state residency or age. Anglers expressing agreement with perceived declines in ice cover reported reductions in avidity and choice of fishing locations, while indicating little impact on species preference or fishing methods. Programming ideas to support this audience include distribution of economic data, ice forecasting, contaminant advisories for subsistence anglers, invasive species, and biodiversity conservation outreach.

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Recommended Citation

Malchoff, M., Trachte, N., & Stepenuck, K. (2024). The Recreational Ice Fishing and Ancillary Retail Communities on a Northern Latitude Lake: Yet-to-be-served Extension Audiences?. The Journal of Extension, 62(1), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.62.01.04