The survey questions, which were designed and sponsored by Minnesota Planning and the Department of Natural Resources, will be asked biennially to provide trend information. The study is part of an ongoing statewide effort to understand a range of recreational water uses beyond boating and fishing.
The 800 survey participants were asked if they had fishing, boating or shoreland recreational experiences in the past year. If they did, they were asked about their satisfaction with the activity and whether their level of satisfaction had changed over the past 10 years. They were also asked about their views on water quality and if they had perceived any changes in water quality during the past 10 years.
Forty-three percent of respondents had fished in the past 12 months, 52 percent were recreational boaters, and 53 percent participated in shoreland-based recreational activities such as bird watching, sightseeing and hiking.
Ninety-seven percent of boaters, 85 percent of anglers and 97 percent of shoreland users said that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience.
About 60 percent of respondents in each group said that their experiences have stayed about the same during the last 10 years. Experiences have gotten better for 17 percent of boaters, worse for 22 percent. Experiences are better now for 11 percent of anglers, worse for 30 percent. Experiences are better now for 32 percent of shoreland users, worse for 10 percent.
Declining water quality conditions were perceived by 47 percent of boaters, 38 percent of anglers, 38 percent of shoreland users. Improving water quality was noted by 13 percent of boaters, 12 percent of anglers, and 13 percent of shoreland users.
Satisfaction with water-related experiences, along with other water resource conditions, are indicators that are being measured through Governor Jesse Ventura’s Water Management Unification Initiative. The framework of the initiative is reported in "Minnesota Watermarks: Gauging the Flow of Progress 2000—2010." Implementation of the initiative is continuing through the efforts of the Environmental Quality Board and teams in Minnesota’s seven water basins. Watermarks is available on the Internet at www.gda.state.mn.us/eqb. For a printed copy, call 651-296-3985.
The Environmental Quality Board is located at Minnesota Planning, a state agency that develops long-range plans for the state, stimulates public participation in Minnesota's future and coordinates activities among all levels of government.