Exploring Spatial Patterns in Biological and Sociological Components of Crappie Fisheries Among Ohio Reservoirs

Integrating biological and sociological attributes of fisheries within a spatial context may enhance fisheries management.  We used geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analyses to explore spatial trends in various biological and sociological attributes of crappie fisheries among Ohio reservoirs.  No significant spatial trends were found among reservoirs in biological attributes (fish catch rates and proportional stock densities), whereas significant trends were observed for angler characteristics such as: effort, percent seeking, party size, travel distance, and harvest orientation.  Results revealed both localized and regional differences among crappie fisheries; which may be related to interactions between angler motivations and reservoir and landscape features.  By simultaneously considering spatial distributions across attributes and other physical features statewide, we identified potentially unique segments of crappie fisheries in Ohio that may have gone previously unnoticed.