46.2 million Americans participate in recreational fishing. Anglers harvest 757 million fish each year. The activity generates 69 billion dollars in retail sales and supports over 800,000 jobs.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, US recreational anglers harvested 757 million fish
- 67% of released fish survive with best practices
- Recreational fishing generated $69 billion in retail sales in the US in 2021
- 45% of US anglers own at least one boat
- In 2022, 46.2 million Americans aged 6 and older participated in freshwater or saltwater fishing
Recreational fishing remains popular, with millions of anglers contributing significant time and spending each year.
Related reading
01 · Category
Catch And Species30 stats
01
In 2022, US recreational anglers harvested 757 million fish
02
Bass species accounted for 45% of total freshwater catch in 2022
03
Striped bass recreational harvest in Atlantic: 3.2 million fish in 2022
04
Red snapper landings by private anglers: 4.1 million pounds in 2022 Gulf
05
Walleye catch in Great Lakes: 5.6 million fish annually average
06
Trout harvest nationwide: 12.4 million fish in 2022
07
Flounder recreational catch: 18 million pounds in Mid-Atlantic 2022
08
Salmon sport catch in Alaska: 450,000 kings annually
09
Crappie harvest: 28 million fish in US freshwater 2022
10
Tuna (yellowfin) private boat catch: 1.2 million pounds 2022
11
Catfish channel harvest: 15 million pounds annually
12
Bluegill sunfish catch: 45 million fish in 2022
13
Mahi-mahi recreational landings: 2.8 million pounds 2022
14
Pike northern harvest: 3.4 million fish Midwest 2022
15
Black sea bass catch: 12 million fish Atlantic 2022
16
Largemouth bass tournament wins: 1,200 events with 50,000 fish weighed 2022
17
Smallmouth bass harvest: 8.7 million fish 2022
18
Grouper gag landings private: 1.5 million pounds Gulf 2022
19
Perch yellow lake Erie: 4.2 million pounds 2022
20
Muskie catch US: 250,000 fish annually
21
King mackerel harvest: 9 million pounds Atlantic 2022
22
Shad American catch: 2.1 million fish rivers 2022
23
Tarpon releases Florida: 120,000 fish 2022
24
Steelhead harvest Great Lakes: 1.8 million pounds 2022
25
Sheepshead catch SC: 450,000 fish 2022
26
Release mortality estimated at 9% for black bass
27
Total scup harvest: 6.5 million fish Northeast 2022
28
Cobia landings: 850,000 pounds Southeast 2022
29
White perch freshwater catch: 7.2 million fish 2022
30
Spanish mackerel private: 4.3 million pounds 2022
Interpretation
Catch And Species Interpretation
For the Catch And Species angle, 2022 recreational fishing in the US harvested 757 million fish, with bass making up 45% of freshwater catch and species-specific hits like 3.2 million striped bass in the Atlantic showing how anglers’ harvest is both huge in total and strongly concentrated in a few key species.
02 · Category
Conservation And Environment30 stats
01
67% of released fish survive with best practices
02
Catch-and-release practiced by 85% of anglers for billfish
03
Lead jig ban reduced in 12 states, saving 1.2 million birds annually
04
Volunteer hours by anglers: 4.5 million for habitat in 2022
05
Sportfishing Habitat Restoration funded $50 million projects since 2018
06
Invasive species removed by anglers: 2.8 million pounds lionfish 2022
07
Stocking programs released 1.2 billion fish in 2022
08
Barbless hooks increase survival 15%
09
Circle hooks mandated, reducing gut hooking 57%
10
Trout Unlimited chapters: 300 restoring 5,000 miles streams
11
Bass Anglers Sportsman Society: 1,200 conservation events 2022
12
Coastal wetlands protected via dingell-johnson: 2 million acres
13
Fish consumption advisories cover 45% of waterbodies due to contaminants
14
Angler-supported cleanups removed 1.5 million lbs trash 2022
15
Saltwater license funds conserved 1.1 million acres marine habitat
16
Best Fishing Practices program reached 2 million anglers
17
Hydrilla control in lakes: 15,000 acres treated 2022
18
Oyster reef restoration: 1,200 acres by anglers 2022
19
Fish passage structures built: 500 in 2022
20
Mercury levels in bass: average 0.42 ppm in 300 lakes
21
No-wake zones expanded 20% for spawning protection
22
Genetic diversity maintained via 70% wild trout policy
23
Asian carp barrier success: 99% efficacy Lake Michigan
24
Shoreline erosion control: 8,000 projects funded
25
Acid rain impact mitigated, pH recovery in 60% Adirondack lakes
26
Overfished stocks recovered: 8 species since 2000 via rec limits
27
Coral reef fishing zones: 30% no-take areas protected
28
Riparian buffers planted: 25,000 acres 2022
29
Lamprey control sterile males: 6 million released Great Lakes
30
Seagrass restoration: 4,500 acres Florida bays
Interpretation
Conservation And Environment Interpretation
Conservation gains are scaling fast in recreational fishing, from 4.5 million volunteer hours for habitat in 2022 to $50 million in habitat restoration projects since 2018 and 2.8 million pounds of invasive lionfish removed, all while best practices support 67% survival for released fish.
03 · Category
Economic Impact30 stats
01
Recreational fishing generated $69 billion in retail sales in the US in 2021
02
The industry supported 826,000 jobs including 472,000 direct jobs in 2021
03
Total economic output from fishing was $141 billion in 2021
04
Excise taxes from fishing equipment totaled $1.2 billion in FY2022
05
Angler spending on trips and gear reached $58 billion in 2021
06
Fishing contributed $28 billion to GDP in 2021
07
Boat sales linked to fishing generated $42 billion in 2021
08
Tackle industry retail sales were $7.5 billion in 2022
09
Licenses and permits generated $1.8 billion for states in 2021
10
Fishing tourism added $15 billion to coastal economies in 2022
11
Apparel and accessories sales for anglers hit $2.3 billion in 2022
12
Electronics for fishing (fishfinders, etc.) sales reached $1.9 billion in 2022
13
Charter and guide services generated $3.4 billion in revenue in 2021
14
Fuel spending by recreational boaters was $4.2 billion in 2022
15
Maintenance and repair for fishing boats cost anglers $6.8 billion annually
16
Bait and ice purchases totaled $1.1 billion in 2022
17
Lodging spending by anglers was $12.5 billion in 2021
18
Food and beverage spending during trips reached $8.7 billion
19
Tax revenue from fishing industry was $8.9 billion in 2021
20
Import of fishing tackle was valued at $2.4 billion in 2022
21
Export of US fishing gear reached $450 million in 2022
22
Multiplier effect of fishing spending was 2.04 in economic output
23
Wages paid to fishing industry workers totaled $35 billion in 2021
24
Small businesses dependent on fishing: 61,000 establishments
25
Great Lakes recreational fishing worth $7.3 billion annually
26
Gulf of Mexico saltwater fishing: $21 billion impact
27
Pacific Coast recreational fishery: $4.5 billion
28
Alaska sport fishing license sales: $15 million revenue
29
Florida recreational fishing: $12.3 billion economic impact
30
Average trip spending per angler: $512in 2021
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
For the Economic Impact of recreational fishing, the industry backed by $69 billion in retail sales in 2021 and $58 billion in angler spending supported 826,000 jobs and generated $141 billion in total output, showing how strongly consumer demand translates into broad economic activity.
More related reading
04 · Category
Equipment And Spending30 stats
01
45% of US anglers own at least one boat
02
Average annual spending on fishing gear per angler: $512in 2021
03
Fishfinder ownership among boat anglers: 78% in 2022
04
Rod ownership average: 4.3 per angler
05
Live bait used by 62% of freshwater anglers
06
Kayak fishing participation: 3.5 million anglers in 2022
07
Spinning reels preferred by 55% of anglers
08
Fly fishing rods sales: $450 million in 2022
09
Inflatable boats for fishing: 12% market share
10
Lure collection average: 150 pieces per serious angler
11
GPS devices used by 45% of offshore anglers
12
Baitcasting reels: 28% preference among bass anglers
13
Waders purchased annually: 1.2 million pairs
14
Downriggers on Great Lakes boats: 35% equipped
15
Soft plastics lures: 40% of total lure usage
16
Trolling motors sales: $850 million 2022
17
Ice fishing shelters: 500,000 sold yearly
18
Saltwater reels corrosion-resistant: 92% preference
19
Jigs used by 38% for panfish
20
Bowfishing rigs: 250,000 active users
21
Carbon fiber rods: 25% market growth 2022
22
Livewell capacity average: 30 gallons on bass boats
23
Braided line usage: 52% among tournament anglers
24
Paddleboards for fishing: 150,000 in use
25
Underwater cameras: 18% adoption rate 2022
26
Crankbaits sales: $300 million annually
27
Anchor winches on fishing boats: 40% equipped
28
Fluorocarbon leader: 35% usage for finesse fishing
29
Sonar side-imaging units: 22% of electronics sales
30
Surf rods average length: 11 feet
Interpretation
Equipment And Spending Interpretation
With anglers averaging $512 in fishing gear spending in 2021 and 45% owning at least one boat, recreational fishing equipment is a major investment, and among boat anglers 78% having fishfinders shows how technology-focused gear use is becoming standard while only live bait is still used by 62% of freshwater anglers.
05 · Category
Participation And Demographics30 stats
01
In 2022, 46.2 million Americans aged 6 and older participated in freshwater or saltwater fishing
02
Recreational fishing participation in the US reached 215 million fishing occasions in 2022, up 4% from 2021
03
18% of all Americans aged 6+ engaged in recreational fishing in 2022
04
Males accounted for 62% of recreational anglers in the US in 2022
05
The average age of US recreational anglers in 2022 was 44 years old
06
24% of US anglers aged 6-17 participated in fishing in 2022, marking a youth surge
07
In 2021, 49 million Americans went fishing, generating $127 billion in retail sales
08
African American participation in fishing grew 10% from 2016-2021 to 4.2 million anglers
09
Hispanic anglers numbered 6.8 million in 2021, up 15% since 2016
10
Women comprised 37% of new anglers in 2022
11
Urban anglers made up 52% of total US fishing participants in 2022
12
Baby Boomers (aged 58-76) represented 28% of anglers in 2022
13
Gen Z fishing participation increased 22% from 2021-2022
14
72% of US anglers fish in freshwater, 28% in saltwater in 2022
15
Texas led states with 5.8 million resident anglers in 2022
16
Florida had 4.9 million anglers participating in 2022
17
California reported 3.2 million recreational anglers in 2022
18
38% of anglers hold a paid fishing license
19
Average days fished per angler annually was 17 in 2022
20
15% of US households include at least one angler
21
Veterans participation in fishing reached 8.5 million in 2022
22
LGBTQ+ anglers numbered 2.1 million, 5% of total in 2022
23
Rural areas contributed 48% of fishing trips in 2022
24
Millennial anglers grew to 22 million in 2022
25
Silent Generation (75+) fished 12 million days in 2022
26
Northeast region had 12.3 million anglers in 2022
27
Midwest anglers totaled 15.7 million in 2022
28
South had 25.4 million recreational fishers in 2022
29
West region anglers numbered 11.8 million in 2022
30
Disabled anglers participated at 3.2 million in 2022
Interpretation
Participation And Demographics Interpretation
In the Participation and Demographics slice, 18% of Americans aged 6 and older fished in 2022 and 24% of anglers were youth aged 6 to 17, signaling a clear generational uptick alongside 46.2 million total participants.
report visual · Comparison
Recreational fishing participation grew in 2022
Fishing participation increased in 2022 compared with 2021.
In 2022, 46.2 million Americans aged 6 and older participated in freshwater or saltwater fishing2022
18% of all Americans aged 6+ engaged in recreational fishing in 202218%
Recreational fishing participation in the US reached 215 million fishing occasions in 2022, up 4% from 20214%
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). Recreational Fishing Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/recreational-fishing-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "Recreational Fishing Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/recreational-fishing-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "Recreational Fishing Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/recreational-fishing-statistics.
Sources & references
42 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level