Accurate geographical awareness, species identification, and recognition of seasonal legal variations are typical constructs of fishing regulations. The combination of these factors makes understanding regulations a challenge, thus, making it difficult for anglers to abide by the law. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between angler fishing specialization, knowledge of fishing regulations, and compliance on two popular waterways in Virginia. An online survey was used to collect data from a sample of 326 licensed Virginia anglers. Two hypotheses were tested based on the regulatory knowledge of the anglers, their fishing specialization, and the likelihood they would comply with fishing regulations. Contrary to the hypothesized relationship, it was found that more specialized anglers had less regulatory knowledge. However, support was found between regulatory knowledge and angler likelihood of compliance. Limitations of this study, future research, and policy implications are also discussed.

准确的地理意识、物种识别和季节性法律变化的识别是捕捞法规的典型结构。这些因素的结合使得理解规则成为一项挑战，从而使垂钓者难以遵守法律。这项探索性研究的目的是检查钓鱼专业化、捕鱼法规知识以及弗吉尼亚州两条流行水道的合规性之间的关系。一项在线调查用于从 326 名有执照的弗吉尼亚垂钓者样本中收集数据。基于垂钓者的监管知识、他们的捕鱼专业以及他们遵守捕鱼法规的可能性，测试了两个假设。与假设的关系相反，发现更专业的垂钓者的监管知识较少。然而，在监管知识和垂钓者合规可能性之间发现了支持。还讨论了本研究的局限性、未来的研究和政策影响。