| As anglers, I doubt we even realize the impact we | | | | fishing trips and equipment. Fishing equipment |
| have on our nations economy. Hopefully this will give | | | | expenditures among African-American anglers |
| you some insight on the positive cash flow we create | | | | increased 43 percent between 1991 and 1996. |
| by just doing what we are so passionate about. | | | | African-American anglers spend on average $324 per |
| In the past I've designed a couple of websites for | | | | year for trip-related fishing expenses and $128 per |
| tournament anglers and in the process I wanted to | | | | year on fishing equipment for a total of $814 million. |
| collect data to present to potential supporters and | | | | African-American anglers spend more days fishing (22 |
| sponsors to make them aware of impact and | | | | vs. 18) and take more trips (18 vs. 14), on average, than |
| participation. I recently "re-discovered" that data and | | | | all anglers. 64 percent of African-American anglers live |
| thought you might find it interesting. So below is some | | | | in the South compared to 39 percent of all anglers. 43 |
| of the numbers I collected from various sources that | | | | percent of female anglers live in the South. 16 percent |
| paint a pretty good picture of how fishing has evolved | | | | of African-American anglers live in the Midwest. 26 |
| in to a money making, national past time. | | | | percent of female anglers live in the Midwest. 43 |
| Right now, the only ripple of interest to your angling | | | | percent of Hispanic anglers live in the South. 38 |
| friend is the one made by the fish as it surfaces at the | | | | percent of Hispanic anglers live in the West compared |
| end of the line. But all around, the money spent to buy | | | | to 20 percent of all anglers. The number of days |
| tackle, gas for the boat and film to record the one that | | | | fished by African-American anglers increased 72 |
| didn't get away, is having a tremendous, positive | | | | percent between 1991 and 1996 compared to 22 |
| impact on the economy. On average, an angler | | | | percent for all anglers. The number of days fished by |
| spends over $1,200 every year on the sport. Hidden, | | | | female anglers increased 15 percent between 1991 and |
| but none-the-less real, is a multiplying factor that | | | | 1996. The number of days fished by Hispanic anglers |
| effectively triples what you spend as the initial | | | | remained constant between 1991 and 1996, but fishing |
| expenditure ripples through the economy. Take for | | | | trip expenditures increased 50 percent during the |
| example the $10 plunked down by an angler for a new | | | | same period. 1.9 million persons 16 and older with |
| a lure. It spreads outward just like the ripples made | | | | disabilities took 33 million fishing trips in 2001, fishing for |
| after the lure hits the water. That revenue helps the | | | | 41 million days. |
| store's owner pay her rent, bills and employees. These | | | | Why People Fish: |
| individuals then use part of that money for other goods | | | | 33 percent of anglers fish to relax. 25 percent of |
| and services and the rippling effect further spreads | | | | anglers fish as a way of spending time with family and |
| and repeats. Of course, ten dollars isn't very significant | | | | friends. 65 percent of non-anglers and 88 percent of |
| by itself, but when 44 million anglers spend $41.5 billion | | | | anglers say that being asked by a child would make |
| in a year, the result in jobs, wages, and other economic | | | | them want to go fishing or make them want to fish |
| effects is an extraordinary pillar of America's | | | | more often. |
| economic health. More focused on playing the fish at | | | | What People Fish For and Where They Fish: |
| the end of the line, your typical angler gives little | | | | Bass fishing is the most popular type of fishing in the |
| thought to how his hobby is helping provide his fellow | | | | United States. 38 percent of all freshwater anglers in |
| Americans a boatload of benefits. The 1.1 million jobs, | | | | the United States fish for black bass. 28 percent of |
| $7.3 billion in tax revenues, and $30 billion in wages | | | | freshwater anglers fish for trout. 28 percent of |
| generated by recreational fishing are many times | | | | freshwater anglers fish for panfish. 27 percent of |
| greater than those created by corporate giants like | | | | freshwater anglers fish for catfish. Bass are sought on |
| Ford, Microsoft or Nike. Generating more than $116 | | | | 36 percent of all freshwater fishing days. 92 percent |
| billion in total output, this remarkably simple activity of | | | | of freshwater anglers fish in their state of residence. |
| dipping one's line in the water provides nine times the | | | | 23 percent of freshwater anglers fish out of state. 85 |
| economic benefit of commercial fishing. ' | | | | percent of freshwater anglers fish in flat water, |
| "I like to fish because it is totally relaxing. I love the | | | | including ponds, lakes and reservoirs. 44 percent of |
| water. I can concentrate and forget all my worries. I | | | | freshwater anglers fish rivers and streams. |
| count my blessings while fishing.' George Bush, | | | | U.S. Anglers by Age Group: |
| president." | | | | 17 percent of 16-to 17-year-olds fish, comprising 4 |
| Participation: | | | | percent of all anglers. 13 percent of 18-to 24-year-olds |
| 44.4 million Americans ages 7 and older fish2 (An | | | | fish, comprising 9 percent of all anglers. 19 percent of |
| estimated 50 million fish including all age groups). One | | | | 25-to 34-year-olds fish, comprising 19 percent of all |
| out of every six U.S. residents 16 and older fish. 1 25 | | | | anglers. 21 percent of 35-to 44-year-olds fish, |
| percent of U.S. males fish, and 8 percent of U.S. | | | | comprising 27 percent of all anglers. 17 percent of |
| females fish. 1 Excluding those who fished the Great | | | | 45-to 54-year-olds fish, comprising 20 percent of all |
| Lakes, freshwater anglers account for 82 percent of | | | | anglers. 16 percent of 55-to 64-year-olds fish, |
| all anglers. Anglers spend an average of 16 days | | | | comprising 12 percent of all anglers. 8 percent of 65+ |
| fishing and take an average of 13 fishing trips annually. | | | | year-olds fish, comprising 9 percent of all anglers. |
| Anglers 16 and older took 365 million freshwater fishing | | | | Fishing among 35- to 44-year-olds increased 60 |
| trips in 2001 totaling 467 million days. Including saltwater | | | | percent between 1980 and 1995. It was the largest |
| anglers, 437 million fishing trips totaling 557 million days | | | | increase of any group. |
| were taken. From 1991 to 1996, freshwater fishing | | | | Economic Impact of Fishing: |
| days rose 13 percent. The average number of | | | | Anglers spent $35.6 billion in 2001 to pursue their sport. |
| freshwater fishing days per angler increased from 14.3 | | | | They spent $14.7 billion for fishing trips, $17 billion for |
| in 1991 to 16.7 in 1996. Between 1980 and 1995, the | | | | equipment, and $4 billion for licenses, stamps tags, land |
| number of Americans who fished increased 16 | | | | leasing and ownership, membership dues and |
| percent. Residents of the South provided the biggest | | | | contributions, and magazines. 1 If hypothetically ranked |
| increase in fishing (21 percent) in the United States | | | | as a corporation, this revenue figure would put sport |
| between 1980 and 1995. The number of males fishing | | | | fishing at 32nd on the 2002 Fortune 500 list of |
| increased 14 percent from 1980 to 1995. | | | | America's largest companies. Total economic output |
| Popularity: | | | | generated by freshwater fishing in 2001 exceeded |
| Fishing ranks as the 4th most popular participation | | | | $74 billion, including the impact on retailers, suppliers of |
| sport in the nation. It ranks ahead of bicycling, bowling, | | | | goods and services to retailers, wholesalers and |
| basketball, golf, jogging, baseball, softball, soccer, | | | | manufacturers, plus the indirect and induced impacts |
| volleyball, tennis, football and skiing. Only walking, | | | | resulting from these activities. Including saltwater fishing, |
| swimming and camping are more popular. More | | | | economic output reached $116 billion. The average |
| Americans fish than play golf and tennis combined. | | | | angler incurs $1,046 in fishing-related expenses. |
| More Americans fish than play soccer and basketball. | | | | Freshwater fishing expenditures in 2001 generated |
| The number of youths ages 12 to 17 who participate in | | | | more than $19.4 billion in wages. Including saltwater |
| freshwater fishing increased 10.9 percent since 1991 to | | | | fishing, $30.1 billion in wages were generated (up 23 |
| 4.5 million. During the same period, the number of | | | | percent since 1991). 683,892 full-time jobs exist due to |
| youths ages 12 to 17 who play baseball decreased | | | | freshwater fishing. Including saltwater fishing, the total |
| 15.4 percent to 4 million. Basketball, softball, tennis and | | | | exceeds 1 million (up 16 percent since 1991). $2.07 billion |
| volleyball participation declined between 2 and 46 | | | | was spent on fishing tackle in 2001. Fishing tackle ranks |
| percent. Fishing ranks as the 2nd most popular | | | | 4th in terms of consumer expenditures for non-team |
| water-related outdoor sport in the United States. | | | | sports equipment. Golf equipment ranks first followed |
| Swimming ranks 1st. Freshwater fishing ranks as one | | | | by exercise equipment and firearms for hunting. Florida |
| of the top-five participation sports in 7 states. Fishing in | | | | anglers spend more than $4 billion annually on fishing |
| general (both freshwater and saltwater) ranks as one | | | | and related equipment. California and Texas anglers |
| of the top-five participation sports in 18 states. Fishing is | | | | spend more than $2 billion. Angler expenditures |
| the No. 1 participation sport in Minnesota, Florida, New | | | | exceed $1 billion in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, |
| Jersey and North Carolina. | | | | North Carolina and Wisconsin. |
| Women and Minorities: | | | | Economic Impact of Fishing: |
| 11.9 million women 7 and older fish. That's more than | | | | U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife |
| the number who participate in jogging, basketball, | | | | Service and U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of |
| volleyball, softball, golf or tennis. Freshwater fishing is | | | | the Census. 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting |
| the 10th most popular participation sport among | | | | and Wildlife-associated Recreation. National Sporting |
| women. 2 26.8 percent of all anglers are female 2 | | | | Goods Association. Sports Participation in 2001. Future |
| (representing 8 percent of the U.S. female population). | | | | of Fishing project conducted by Responsive |
| 5 percent of all anglers are black (representing 7 | | | | Management of Harrisonburg, Va. American |
| percent of the black population). 5 percent of all | | | | Sportfishing Association. The 2001 Demographics and |
| anglers are Hispanic (representing 7 percent of the | | | | Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in the United States. |
| Hispanic population). The number of women fishing | | | | Participation and Expenditure Patterns of |
| increased 19 percent from 1980 to 1995 compared to | | | | African-American, Hispanic, and Women Hunters and |
| 14 percent for males. The region that experienced the | | | | Anglers. Addendum to the 1996 National Survey of |
| largest increase in the number of females fishing was | | | | Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. |
| the Northeast. Women spend on average $246 per | | | | Black Bass Fishing in the U.S. Addendum to the 1996 |
| year for trip-related fishing expenses and $70 per year | | | | National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and |
| on fishing equipment for a total of $3 billion. Hispanics | | | | Wildlife-Associated Recreation. 1980-1995 Participation |
| fish at lower rates than African-Americans and | | | | in Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching. National and |
| women, but they spend, on average, more money - | | | | Regional Demographic Trends. Sport Fish and Wildlife |
| $434 per angler for trips and $154 for equipment. | | | | Restoration Web site, restorewildlife.org. |
| Hispanics spent a total of $696 million per year on | | | | |