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These results suggest that most anglers in Colorado fish for trout in Coldwater lakes. Coldwater stream fishing has remained relatively stable, and warmwater fishing participation has doubled in the last decade. The drop in warmwater preference may indicate that opportunities for warmwater fishing are meeting the demand. There is an increasing preference, or "demand," for catch-and-release and wild trout fishing opportunities, and anglers appear to be switching from natural baits to artificial tackle as the primary approach to take advantage of this desired fishing opportunity. It is apparent from the previous assessment of resources available, however, that the proportion of public coldwater habitat available to support catch-and-release fishing for wild trout (or native cutthroat trout) is much more limited than the apparent public demand. This also suggests that the angling public would accept a conversion of coldwater streams to wild trout management, and perhaps a greater use of catch-and-release or limited-harvest regulations in coldwater lakes to sustain the recreational potential of fisheries managed and stocked as Optimal Use waters. Another important factor in assessing public preference is that 59% of the respondents in 1994 also indicated a preference for an increased use of stocked trout. Noting the apparent contradiction in preference versus use in the 1994 survey results is also important. While 12% desired put-and-take, catchable trout fishing, 78% of the survey participants fished in put-and-take waters; and while 70% desired wild trout fishing, only 41% of the participants fished wild trout waters. Demand and Supply Aspects of Hatchery Production While coldwater fishing recreation days have increased fourfold since the 1940's (Walsh et al. 1988), such fishing pressure is not spread uniformly across all habitat types. Some waters have experienced even greater increases in fishing pressure and could not maintain any reasonable level of angler satisfaction without supplemental stocking. However, we have become so reliant on supplements from our hatcheries that stocked fish now support an estimated 80% of Colorado's coldwater recreation days (Deloitte & Touche 1995). Not only have our recreation programs grown more reliant on hatchery production, but indirectly, so have some local communities and businesses. Deloitte & Touche (1995) estimated the economic impact from fishing in Colorado to be about $900 million annually. Wildlife-related recreation has significant economic impact in Colorado. Within this assessment, we are ill- equipped to do more than acknowledge that such economic benefits and relationships exist. However, as the decision-making process proceeds, the political ramifications affecting local economies or businesses should be considered in concert with the technical information from this report. Closely related to the direct and indirect economic impacts are social and moral issues. We should learn how the social good would be affected by our decisions to stock WD+ fish (Rolston 1988); there are people who believe that stocking unhealthy fish is wrong, or not to verify key assumptions about the productivity or limits of the waters we manage. 32