Most (97%) Braunig and Calaveras anglers were male.

Average age was 48 years for boat anglers and 44 years for shore anglers.

Most (77%) boat anglers were white; 54% of shore anglers were non-white.

Forty three percent of boat anglers and 58% of shore anglers were Hispanic.

Median household income was $45,000 for boat anglers and $35,000 for shore anglers.

Most (87%) anglers reported residing within Bexar County.

Average number of days fished during the past 12 months was 46 days for boat anglers and 32 days for shore anglers.  When adjusted for non-response, average          number of days fished during the past 12 months was 35 days for boat anglers and 27 days for shore anglers. 

Average experience fishing in freshwater was 34 years for boat anglers and 27 years for shore anglers.

Eighty eight percent of boat anglers and 76% of shore anglers reported having a preferred species to catch when fishing in freshwater.

The most preferred species for boat anglers when fishing in freshwater were red drum (35%), largemouth bass (33%), and hybrid striped bass (16%).

The most preferred species for shore anglers when fishing in freshwater were largemouth bass (32%), red drum (30%), and catfish (26%).

Most (72%) Braunig and Calaveras anglers reported that fishing is their most important outdoor activity.

Statements about fishing in freshwater receiving the highest level of agreement from boat anglers were “I like to fish where there are several types of fish to catch” (85%), “The more fish I catch, the happier I am”(73%), and “A fishing trip can be successful even if no fish are caught” (73%).

Statements about fishing in freshwater receiving the highest level of agreement from shore anglers were “I like to fish where there are several types of fish to catch” (87%), “I usually eat the fish I catch”(72%), and “A fishing trip can be successful even if no fish are caught” (72%).

Statements about fishing in freshwater receiving the highest level of disagreement from boat anglers were “I want to keep all the fish I catch” (79%), “If I thought I wouldn’t catch any fish, I wouldn’t go fishing” (57%), and “When I go fishing, I am not satisfied unless I catch at least something” (50%).

Statements about fishing in freshwater receiving the highest level of disagreement from shore anglers were “I want to keep all the fish I catch” (62%), “If I thought I wouldn’t catch any fish, I wouldn’t go fishing” (61%), and “When I go fishing, I am not satisfied unless I catch at least something” (47%).

Sixty four percent of boat anglers and 71% of shore anglers said there are factors that prevent them from fishing as often as they would like.

Statements about constraints on fishing participation receiving the highest level of agreement from boat anglers were “I don’t have to catch fish for food” (66%), “I have too many work/family commitments” (61%), and “Fishing facilities and areas are too crowded” (35%).

Statements about constraints on fishing participation receiving the highest level of agreement from shore anglers were “I don’t have to catch fish for food” (65%), “I have too many work/family commitments” (56%), and “Fishing facilities and areas are too crowded” (48%).

Boat and shore anglers reported fishing an average of 18 days and 15 days, respectively, over the previous 12 months at the lake where they were intercepted.

Ninety two percent of boat anglers and 80% of shore anglers have a preferred species at the lake where they were intercepted.

Species most preferred by boat anglers were red drum (40%), largemouth bass (27%), and hybrid striped bass (20%).

Species most preferred by shore anglers were red drum (38%), catfish (25%), and largemouth bass (23%).

Species caught most often by boat anglers were hybrid striped bass (34%), catfish (31%), and red drum (19%).

Species caught most often by shore anglers were catfish (60%), hybrid striped bass (11%), and red drum (11%).

A minority of anglers were moderately satisfied with the quality of the fishing (46%) and the quality of the facilities (34%) at Braunig and Calaveras.

When asked who they fish with most often at Braunig or Calaveras, boat anglers reported friends (29%), family and friends together (27%), alone (25%), and with family (19%).

When asked who they fish with most often at Braunig or Calaveras, shore anglers reported family and friends together (32%), family (29%), alone (24%), and with friends (15%).

The highest rated motives for fishing at Braunig and Calaveras were “For relaxation”, “For the fun of catching fish”, and “To be outdoors” which were rated as important or extremely important by 86%, 85%, and 80% of boat anglers, respectively, and 86%, 82%, and 80% of shore anglers, respectively.

More than 77% of boat anglers and 63% of shore anglers said they support current regulations for red drum, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and catfish at Braunig and Calaveras.

Average distance traveled to get to Braunig or Calaveras was 23 miles.

Statements about the most recent trip to Braunig or Calaveras receiving the highest level of agreement from boat anglers were “The facilities I encountered met my needs on this trip” (71%), “I thoroughly enjoyed this trip” (67%), and “I would like to fish more lakes like this one” (62%).

Statements about the most recent trip to Braunig or Calaveras receiving the highest level of agreement from shore anglers were “I thoroughly enjoyed this trip” (74%), “This trip was well worth the money spent to take this trip” (58%), and “I would like to fish more lakes like this one” (58%). 

Statements about the most recent trip to Braunig and Calaveras receiving the highest level of disagreement by boat anglers were “I caught what I consider to be a trophy fish on this trip” (85%), “I caught more fish than I expected on this trip” (68%), and “I cannot imagine a better fishing trip” (65%).

Statements about the most recent trip to Braunig and Calaveras receiving the highest level of disagreement by shore anglers were “I caught what I consider to be a trophy fish on this trip” (86%), “I caught more fish than I expected on this trip” (68%), and “My fishing skills were tested on this trip” (52%).

Total yearly estimated expenditures made within Bexar County by Braunig anglers was $3,492,735  and $280,737 for Bexar County residents and for individuals who reside outside Bexar County, respectively.  

Total yearly estimated expenditures made within Bexar County by Calaveras anglers was $2,499,648 and $640,106 for Bexar County residents and for individuals who reside outside Bexar County, respectively. 

Economic impact analysis was not performed on these expenditure estimates due to the low number of out-of-county anglers sampled at each lake and the low total expenditures for this group.

Most boat anglers said the Texas coast (60%), Choke Canyon Reservoir (59%), and Canyon Lake (50%) would be acceptable substitutes for Braunig Lake or        Calaveras Lake.

The Texas coast was the only alternative location considered an acceptable location by a majority (69%) of shore anglers.

Anglers who said alternative locations were not acceptable substitutes for Braunig and Calaveras said so typically because these locations are too far away (Medina Lake, Corpus Christi Lake, Choke Canyon Reservoir, Canyon Lake, Texas coast), the same types of fish cannot be caught there (Medina Lake, Brackenridge Park, Canyon Lake), they are too crowded (Brackenridge Park, Canyon Lake), a boat is needed to fish there (Medina Lake), or they are too expensive (Texas Coast).

With no change in fishing quality at Braunig or Calaveras, the probability of a respondent agreeing to pay a higher entrance fee was negatively correlated with the hypothetical fee and positively correlated with overall satisfaction level with the fishing quality there.

At both lakes, revenue is predicted to be maximized at a daily fee of around $5.

Raising the entrance fee to $5 would result in the displacement of approximately 1,016 anglers from Braunig Lake and 1 ,067 anglers from Calaveras Lake.

Braunig Lake and Calaveras Lake provide important fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities to residents of San Antonio and Bexar County that are not available from other local sources. 

Boat and shore angler appear to represent two different angler segments at Braunig and Calaveras.  Differences between boat and shore anglers need to be considered in management decision-making at these lakes.

Successful management of these lakes will depend on providing a diversity of opportunities in terms of species available, access, facilities, and for participation in other types of activities at the lakes. 

When deciding whether to raise fees, managers must weigh the need for increased revenue against the number of anglers expected to be displaced.  If the entrance fee is to be increased, managers must emphasize the need for a concurrent increase in the quality of the fishing or facilities at the lakes.

Due to the small number of non-locals fishing at Braunig and Calaveras, direct economic impact of fishing at these lakes on Bexar County could not be estimated.  Because these lakes are used primarily by Bexar County residents, this economic impact is expected to be minimal.

Results of this study provide unique insights into the motivations, attitudes, preferences, fishing behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics of Hispanic and urban anglers.  The information presented in this report should prove useful to agency decision makers as they anticipate future state-level changes in demographics and changes in the composition of the angler population.