You might cast a line for relaxation, but you're also casting a powerful economic lifeline, as America's recreational anglers generate a staggering $126 billion in economic output while supporting 826,000 jobs and funding vital conservation efforts.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, recreational fishing generated $126 billion in total economic output in the U.S.
- The recreational fishing industry supported 826,000 jobs in the U.S. in 2022
- Anglers spent $51.2 billion on trip-related expenses in 2022
- In 2022, 40 million Americans participated in recreational fishing at least once
- 18 million Americans fished freshwater in 2022
- 14 million fished saltwater or Great Lakes in 2022
- The industry employed 354,000 direct jobs in fishing tackle retail in 2022
- Charter and guide services supported 35,000 jobs in 2022
- Fishing equipment manufacturing jobs totaled 25,000 in 2022
- Average angler spent $1,300 on equipment in 2022
- Trip-related spending averaged $842 per angler in 2022
- Total fishing package spending $52 billion in 2022
- 75% of released fish survive catch-and-release practices
- Catch-and-release practiced by 80% of freshwater anglers
- Recreational fishing funds $1 billion in conservation annually via excise taxes
Recreational fishing contributed $126 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 826,000 jobs in 2022.
Angler Participation
- In 2022, 40 million Americans participated in recreational fishing at least once
- 18 million Americans fished freshwater in 2022
- 14 million fished saltwater or Great Lakes in 2022
- Average angler made 17 fishing trips in 2022
- Youth participation (6-17) reached 6.2 million in 2022
- Female participation grew to 9.5 million anglers in 2022
- Hispanic/Latino anglers numbered 3.2 million in 2022
- African American participation at 1.8 million in 2022
- 49% of anglers were repeat participants from prior year in 2022
- Participation rate among males aged 6+ was 18% in 2022
- Florida had 4.2 million resident anglers in 2021
- Texas recreational anglers totaled 3.8 million in 2020
- California had 2.5 million marine anglers in 2019
- Michigan freshwater anglers 2.1 million annually
- Participation peaked at 55 million in 2011
- Urban anglers make up 60% of total participants
- Boating anglers numbered 20 million in 2022
- Shore-based fishing participants 25 million in 2022
- Fly fishing enthusiasts 6 million in U.S.
- Ice fishing participants 4 million in northern states
- Canada had 3.7 million recreational anglers in 2021
- UK sea anglers 800,000 regularly
- Australia 5 million recreational fishers
- Bass fishing tournament anglers 1.5 million participants yearly
- Women anglers increased 27% from 2013-2022
- Youth retention rate 50% into adulthood
Angler Participation Interpretation
While America's anglers are a diverse and growing army of 40 million, their collective obsession—averaging 17 trips a year—suggests we're less a nation of hunters and gatherers and more a republic of hopeful catchers and occasional releasers.
Conservation and Sustainability
- 75% of released fish survive catch-and-release practices
- Catch-and-release practiced by 80% of freshwater anglers
- Recreational fishing funds $1 billion in conservation annually via excise taxes
- Sportfishing Association donated $20 million to habitat projects since 2010
- 90% of U.S. states have slot limits for bass protection
- Invasive species removal funded by $50 million angler fees yearly
- Trout stocking programs release 12 million fish annually
- Oyster reef restoration by anglers covers 500 acres yearly
- 65% of anglers support stricter bag limits
- Lead tackle ban in 10 states reduced bird mortality by 40%
- Florida redfish recovery due to 20" slot limit since 1990s
- Atlantic striped bass moratorium rebuilt stocks 300% since 2000
- Pacific salmon hatcheries produce 400 million smolts yearly
- Walleye management increased populations 25% in Great Lakes
- Bonefish habitat protection spans 1 million acres
- 50% reduction in overfished recreational species since 2000
- Volunteer angler monitoring covers 5,000 waterbodies
- Circle hooks reduce gut-hooking by 80% in billfish
- Australia bag limits sustain reef fish populations
- UK voluntary catch limits for sea trout effective
Conservation and Sustainability Interpretation
The recreational fishing industry, often seen as just a pastime, is quietly running a remarkably effective and self-funded conservation syndicate that has fish populations, habitats, and even anglers themselves all bending to the rules of sustainability.
Economic Impact
- In 2022, recreational fishing generated $126 billion in total economic output in the U.S.
- The recreational fishing industry supported 826,000 jobs in the U.S. in 2022
- Anglers spent $51.2 billion on trip-related expenses in 2022
- Retail sales from fishing equipment reached $12.4 billion in 2022
- Fishing license sales contributed $1.7 billion in state revenues in 2021
- The industry paid $8.1 billion in federal taxes in 2022
- Total economic contribution of freshwater fishing was $67 billion in 2022
- Saltwater fishing added $59 billion to the economy in 2022
- The multiplier effect of fishing spending was 2.4 times the initial expenditure in 2022
- Boating-related fishing expenditures totaled $28 billion in 2022
- In 2021, the U.S. recreational fishing market size was valued at $50.2 billion
- Projected growth of recreational fishing market to $65.8 billion by 2030 at 3.4% CAGR
- Fishing tourism generated $15 billion annually in coastal economies
- Equipment manufacturing contributed $4.5 billion to GDP in 2020
- State excise taxes from fishing gear sales were $500 million in 2022
- Indirect and induced jobs from fishing totaled 472,000 in 2022
- Labor income from recreational fishing reached $43 billion in 2022
- Great Lakes recreational fishing economy valued at $7.3 billion yearly
- Florida's recreational fishing industry worth $12.2 billion in 2021
- Texas saltwater fishing economic impact $3.5 billion in 2020
- California ocean fishing contributed $4 billion to economy in 2019
- Midwest freshwater fishing economic output $20 billion annually
- Southeast U.S. recreational fishing $25 billion impact
- Alaska sport fishing charter industry $1.2 billion in 2022
- Pacific Northwest salmon fishing $2.8 billion economic value
- Gulf of Mexico recreational fishing $10 billion yearly
- New England striped bass fishing $1.5 billion impact
- Canada recreational fishing economy $7 billion CAD in 2021
- Europe freshwater angling market €5 billion annually
- Australia recreational fishing $4.5 billion AUD contribution
Economic Impact Interpretation
While anglers may claim they're just drowning worms to escape reality, their $126 billion economic splash in 2022—supporting 826,000 jobs—proves they're actually hooking a serious fortune for the nation's economy.
Employment and Industry Jobs
- The industry employed 354,000 direct jobs in fishing tackle retail in 2022
- Charter and guide services supported 35,000 jobs in 2022
- Fishing equipment manufacturing jobs totaled 25,000 in 2022
- Boat building and sales employed 110,000 in 2022
- Marinas and marine services 150,000 jobs in 2022
- Food and beverage services from fishing 152,000 jobs in 2022
- Lodging industry jobs from anglers 85,000 in 2022
- Ground transportation jobs 19,000 from fishing trips
- Gas stations employed 11,000 due to fishing in 2022
- Apparel manufacturing for fishing 8,000 jobs in 2022
- Florida recreational fishing jobs 65,000 in 2021
- Alaska sportfishing guides 5,000 full-time equivalents
- Louisiana charter captains 2,500 employed
- Wisconsin bait shops support 1,200 jobs
- Oregon tackle industry 3,000 jobs
- NMFS marine recreation employment 200,000 coastal jobs
- Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's employ 40,000 in fishing retail
- Academy Sports retail fishing staff 20,000 nationwide
- BoatUS members support 50,000 marine jobs
- Ice fishing guide services 2,000 jobs in Midwest
- Fly shop employees 10,000 across U.S.
- Tournament organizers and staff 5,000 jobs yearly
- Canada fishing lodges employ 15,000 seasonally
- UK angling clubs support 20,000 part-time jobs
- Australia charter fishing 8,000 jobs
Employment and Industry Jobs Interpretation
While most see fishing as a quiet escape, it's actually a serious economic engine, hooking livelihoods in nearly every sector from the manufacturing floor to the marina barstool.
Spending and Retail
- Average angler spent $1,300 on equipment in 2022
- Trip-related spending averaged $842 per angler in 2022
- Total fishing package spending $52 billion in 2022
- Rod and reel purchases $3.2 billion in 2022
- Lures and flies sales $2.8 billion yearly
- Fishing line and leader $700 million market
- Tackle boxes and bags $500 million sales
- Apparel and footwear $1.9 billion in 2022
- Live bait expenditures $1.1 billion annually
- Boat purchases and accessories $15 billion in 2022
- Fuel for fishing boats $5.2 billion yearly
- Licenses and stamps $2.9 billion spent by anglers
- Ice sales for fishing $300 million market
- Electronics like fish finders $2.1 billion sales
- Online fishing gear sales grew 15% to $4 billion in 2022
- Bass fishing gear spending $1.5 billion annually
- Saltwater tackle market $3 billion in U.S.
- Fly fishing equipment $1.2 billion sales
- Charter fees average $500 per day
- Youth fishing gear $800 million market
- Canada angler spending $2.5 billion CAD on gear
- UK fishing tackle retail £1 billion yearly
- Australia fishing retail $1.2 billion AUD
Spending and Retail Interpretation
These statistics prove that the promise of catching dinner is the most expensive grocery subscription on the planet, but the anglers paying for it are clearly hooked.
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