Fishing in the Neighborhood: Understanding Motivations and Constraints for Angling Among Twin Cities Metro Residents
We describe factors that motivate and constrain fishing among urban and suburban residents. Results are from a 2005 survey of Twin Cities residents. We identified five factors that motivated outdoor recreation, including achievement, appreciation, personal development, affiliation, and health. Appreciation and health were the most important motivators for outdoor recreation. Fishing was seen as a way to satisfy appreciation and affiliation motivations, and less likely to satisfy other motivations. We identified seven factors that constrained outdoor recreation: (a) costs/regulations, (b) discomfort/fear/dislike, (c) concerns about safety or discrimination, (d) planning required, (e) physical ability, (f) access, and (g) family/work commitments. Family/work commitments and cost most limited outdoor recreation. Constraints related to family/work commitments and lack of interest most limited participation in fishing. We examined how perceived benefits and constraints predicted intention to fish. About 55% of respondents indicated that they would likely fish in the future, and about 50% of respondents said that they would likely fish in Minnesota in the next year. Appreciation and affiliation motivations and constraints related to discomfort, discrimination/safety, and physical ability predicted future fishing. About 27% of respondents indicated that fishing was a “favorite” activity. Appreciation, comfort, and access predicted whether fishing was a favorite activity.