Creel Census 2001

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The national population census occurs every 10 years, but Montana’s census of the state’s fish populations occurs year in and year out.

The 2001 "creel census" takers may be Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks representatives who visit you on the lakeshore or riverbank, or the census may come in the form of a mailed questionnaire.

Surveying anglers is how FWP and the fish and game agencies of other states determine total hours spent fishing on certain waters (fishing pressure), catch rates for different fish species and the numbers being kept by anglers.

Creel surveys, conducted on site by FWP biologists, seasonal employees or volunteers, result in the most accurate information. Either on the water or later when anglers are leaving the area, surveyors question anglers on a one-on-one basis and examine the fish being caught and kept.

Creel surveys also are the most expensive means of determining fishing activity and success. To help overcome this problem, FWP surveyors sometimes send multiple questionnaires.

Each month, some Montana anglers receive questionnaires in the mail asking where they fished, if at all, during the past month. Nonresident anglers who purchase a two-day license generally remember where they fished; so they receive one questionnaire for the entire year. Names and addresses of anglers are obtained from ledgers kept by FWP license agents. The questionnaires are mailed and the responses tallied by FWP’s Research Bureau staff in Bozeman. The effort is funded in part by the Sports Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program.

Understanding angler numbers and where fishing takes place helps fisheries managers recommend regulations that benefit both the fish and anglers.