The fishing indicator focuses on the fishing experience strictly related to sport fishing instead of native fish species, and therefore focuses on trout, which are considered desirable non-natives. Certain riverscapes may not be actively managed for game fish populations, and/or may not be considered a game fish segment due to the change in species that occurs as the water temperature naturally warms in a downriver direction. Undesirable non-native fish species include smallmouth bass and Northern pike. These species are not used to score recreational fishing because river managers are actively working to reduce their numbers due to their negative impact on endangered native fish populations.

Scoring for the Fishing Indicator takes into account several criteria:

• User satisfaction
• Fish caught
• Accessibility for both wade fishing and fishing by boat