NAGA News January/February 201720

Recreational fishing is a $40 billion dollar industry in the United States, and adding fishing opportuni-ties to lure anglers to your farm or preserve can help you reel in a share of the business.

Demand for high-quality fishing experiences is relatively constant. As heavy fishing pressure on public waters reduces fish size and catch rates, anglers seek areas where they can enjoy consistent action, catch fish for the table and have a chance to land trophy fish.

As with game birds, there are many different species of game fish. Many fee fishing operations choose rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish and catfish. When selecting which species to offer, it’s wise to factor your goals, your property’s potential aquatic habitat and customer preferences into the decision-making process.

NAGA Business Member Sportsman’s Paradise at White’s Ranch in Utah offers fishing opportu-nities, and manager Andy Parker says fishing is a big part of the business plan.

“We have 3½ miles of stream and seven still waters,” he begins. “We

offer rainbow trout, splake, tiger trout, steelhead, cuttbows and brown trout. Our fishing is catch-and-release with barbless hooks, fly fishing only.”

To avoid crowding and enhance the experience, Sportsman’s Paradise carefully limits the number of an-glers per day (outside of corporate events) to offer solitude that’s hard to find on popular public fisheries.

Fishing is offered year-round, and Parker says it’s a big hit with hunters during the ranch’s hunting season, which runs from September through the end of March. “A lot of guests ap-preciate the cast and blast options,” he grins.

The fishing is first-rate, too. Mountain-fed streams have been restored to their original courses, and nurture self-sustaining trout popula-tions numbering more than 20,000 fish.

Trout range in size from finger-lings to trophies topping 20 pounds,

with an average length running from 18 to 24 inches. Size structure is aided by select releases of hatchery fish.

“We operate our own fish hatchery, where we raise trout for sale to

guests, local restaurants and civic events,” Parker notes. “When hatch-ery fish get too large for sale, we release them into the streams and still waters.”

In fact, the hatchery predates the lodge’s hunting operations. “We started as a fishing club, then added hunting to boost our business,” says Parker, noting that Sportsman’s Paradise also offers sporting clays. “It’s a great combination,” he contin-ues. “Guests can fish, hunt and shoot clays all without leaving the ranch.”

Sportsman’s Paradise, which has a restaurant and lodging, also hosts events including weddings and large corporate retreats, which further diversify its sources of income.

On the fishing front, the ranch offers personal, family and corporate memberships. For details on their programs and pricing, visit whites-ranch.com.

Taking The PlungeWhile fishing is a boon to Sportsman’s Paradise, the decision to add fishing to your list of attractions shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Water resources are a primary concern—in terms of both quantity and quality. Having a large, readily

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21NAGA NewsJanuary/February 2017

accessible pond on the property is a huge plus. Otherwise, you’ll need to tackle the expensive construc-tion process, including obtaining the necessary permits.

In general, ponds less than half an acre in size are considered too small

for viable long-term fee fishing op-erations. You’ll also need a continu-ous source of clean water, to dilute fish waste and replenish water lost to evaporation and seepage. In some cases, an oxygenating system will also be necessary to prevent fish die-offs, both in summer and winter.

General water quality require-ments include dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, alkalinity, nitrogen, sodium and chlorine. Keep in mind

that each fish species has a different ideal range for these factors. And, while some can be adjusted—such as oxygen, alkalinity and pH—the less treatment your water requires, the better.

Managing your water source may be required. Springs present fewer problems with parasites and con-taminants, while feeder creeks and ditches running through livestock pastures and cropland often need water-management structures such as siphon-fed watering troughs to purify the water supply.

Location is another major con-cern. While anglers aren’t afraid to travel to premier destinations, most successful fee fishing operations are situated within 30 to 50 miles of a major population center. Proximity to other tourist attractions and recre-ational opportunities can also be a factor, since these businesses may increase the flow of traffic past your front gates.

And then there’s the time factor. Few business owners have spare time, and adding another angle to your enterprise will certainly eat ad-ditional time off the clock.

Time commitments include set-ting up the pond or stream, followed by marketing, management, pond maintenance and fish care. Raising your own fish adds another layer of time, although many fee-fishing op-erators do not grow their own fish.

You’ll still need to restock the pond, which can be a near-constant chore in busy seasons. Many op-erators build their own fish-hauling tanks to increase their flexibility in getting fish when they need them.

Dollars And SenseWhile in the planning and discovery phase, it’s also smart to carefully examine the actual cost of running a fee-fishing business to determine whether or not it could be sustain-able and profitable.

Two handy tools toward this end are an enterprise budget and cash-flow analysis. Simply add up the costs of operation for a given period (typically one year or a season of op-eration) and compare this figure with potential sales.

When projecting potential rev-enue, you’ll need a baseline on fee schedules. Prices vary widely among fee-fishing enterprises. The first step in setting prices is shopping your

competitors and checking out their pricing and policies.

Some operators charge a very low price to fish, but higher prices to keep each fish. Others charge slightly more for fishing, and include one keeper fish as part of the fee. Still others, like Sportsman’s Paradise, are strictly catch-and-release, setting prices solely for the unique experi-ence. If you opt for a release-only enterprise, be sure to factor in the cost of replace-

TROUT, INCLUDING TROPHIES, are on tap at Sportsman’s Paradise.

CATCH-AND-RELEASE FEE fishing operators must still consider hooking and handling-related mortality into their pricing.

Fish, continued on page 25

Before You StartBefore you wade into the world of fee fishing, consider the following:

1. Waterresourcequantityandquality

2. Location

3. Availabilityoffish

4. Timerequirements

5. Costofoperation

6. Marketingneeds

7. Impactonotherfarmoperations

8. Pricing

9. Permitsandregulations

10.Liabilityandinsurance

11. Hoursofoperation

12.Siterules

25NAGA NewsJanuary/February 2017

of Greater Hudson Valley.“We are extremely proud as an orga-nization and as an industry to assist Kids & Clays in making these fund-raising events a success,” says NSSF president and CEO Steve Sanetti. “What a good feeling it is to be part of efforts that support the important services Ronald McDonald House Charities provides to children and their families. We want more people to know about both Kids & Clays and Ronald McDonald House.”

Ronald McDonald Houses across the country serve as a “home away from home” for children and families during treatment at nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities. The goal is to not only provide close access to medical care, but to also keep families close together during such challenging times.

Kids & Clays makes possible a national series of charity sporting clays events that benefit critically ill children and their families. Many generous sponsors from both the firearms industry and outside it help make Kids & Clays’ events a success. For more information, visit nssf.org or kidsandclays.com.

Duke Energy Boosts NWTF Conservation EffortsThe National Wild Turkey Federation’s Energy for Wildlife program re-ceived a $500,000 Duke Energy Foundation grant to conserve and

enhance more than 6,000 acres of critical habitat across Florida, the Carolinas and Indiana.

The project is designed to benefit imperiled pollinators and birds, as well as numerous other wildlife species. Conservation efforts will focus on establishing or enhancing habitat on public lands, such as state or national forests, and nearby areas where Duke Energy’s transmission right-of-ways split large areas of for-ested habitat. The enhanced habitat conditions will provide cover and a sustainable food source, while serv-ing as a protective travel corridor for a variety of wildlife species.

“The NWTF has worked with Duke Energy to rehabilitate numer-ous right-of-ways, but this part-nership takes our relationship for wildlife and habitat improvement to an entirely new level,” said NWTF CEO George Thornton. “We look forward to leveraging this funding and the dedication of our volun-teers to directly affect some of the most imperiled habitats across Duke Energy’s coverage areas.” For more information, visit nwtf.org. H

Welcome New Members!Aeryn Barry, Lake Mills, WI

Stuart Dehoff, Dehoff Farms, Sylvania, GA

Robert Sharp, Sharp Shooting Birds, Lindsay, TX

Austin Teeter, Ingalls, KS

Zean Cox, Cimarron, KS

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Williamson Enterprises, Lodge-ical Software (see ad page 26)

Partner, continued from page 10

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ment fish lost to hooking and handling mortality.

You may also incorporate guide services, fish cleaning, bait and tackle sales and equipment rentals into your program.

Consulting an accountant for help with variable costs, overhead and revenue projec-tions can be a big help with financial matters. Local Extension Offices and other farm service agencies may also be able to provide sample budgets, worksheets and other planning tools.

Finally, don’t forget about per-mits, regulations and insurance. Depending on your location, a variety of state and local agencies and mu-nicipalities may need to be contacted. The state department of agriculture is often a great place to start.

You must also have adequate commercial insurance when running a business that charges people to come onto your property. Standard farm policies typically won’t cover such activities, so consult your insur-ance agent before setting up shop. H

Editor’s Note: The Maryland Cooperative Extension contributed to this report.

Fish, continued from page 21

CATFISH are popular with anglers and fish pond managers in many areas.