There are two important reasons to view fee-fishing as part of a larger tourism experience. First, this approach treats customers as guests and therefore implies that they have other needs beyond fishing. The most common species available is rainbow trout, though some growers also stock brook trout, brown trout, catfish, bluegills and largemouth bass. Though some fish farms specialize in fee-fishing, most growers also have game fish or food fish operations. Not all operations produce their own fish-many purchase adult fish from other growers to stock in their ponds.
Growers vary in the services that they offer to customers.
Most of the growers surveyed in 1991 reported they will clean, bag and ice the caught fish at no cost, while fewer than half are willing to fillet fish. Few growers offer additional services, though some innovative growers offer hatchery tours, refreshments, paddleboats and fish feeding demonstrations. They may also sell fish feed, sell fish or have a gift shop. More than half of the growers with fee-fishing operations advertise. Growers who advertise do so in a variety of ways, including local newspapers, brochures and newsletters.