Recreational fishing in the U.S. - statistics & facts

Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in the United States. In 2020, approximately 55 million Americans flocked to the nation’s waterways to engage in freshwater, saltwater, and fly-fishing activities, marking the highest fishing participation rate in over a decade. In line with global participation trends, the number of hobbyists casting their rods in the United States is forecast to increase in the future – a development that can contribute to the health and well-being of millions of Americans of all ages, but also pose a challenge to regional ecosystems.

Who participates in fishing in the U.S.?

Freshwater fishing is the most popular fishing activity among recreational anglers in the United States. In 2020, freshwater fishing attracted almost 43 million participants, twice as many as saltwater and fly-fishing participants combined. In terms of geographical distribution, fishing participation remains highest in the South Atlantic region, which borders parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Other regions are also seeing visible upswings in fishing participation and interest, particularly from demographic groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in the world of recreational fishing. In 2020, for example, women accounted for 36 percent of all fishing participants in the United States. Youth participation also continues its upward trajectory. While fishing as a hobby is more prevalent with older generations, the share of participants under 45 remains high.

Motivations, barriers, and the future of recreational fishing

According to a 2020 survey, the top reasons for trying fishing for the first time were spending time with friends and family, trying a new hobby, and embarking on an adventure. The social component of fishing is frequently listed as a motivation among hobby anglers, as is reflected in the high average number of people per fishing trip. While some people prefer to fish alone, relax, and enjoy their peaceful surroundings, most participants choose to embark as a group. In 2020, the largest share of fishing participants went on one to eleven trips, though many occasional anglers would have liked to fish more. One of the leading barriers to recreational fishing was the lack of affordable access to boats and fishing gear. As the cost of U.S. fishing licenses tends to increase annually, financial hurdles may lead some potential newcomers to steer clear of the sport. The downward trend in fishing license holders can also cause conservation issues. While most recreational anglers preserve aquatic habitats, a lack of regulation of the number of people participating in one of the country’s favorite pastimes can lead to high stock exploitation, shifts in population structure, and even habitat destruction.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Market size of the U.S. fishing industry: 11.5bn USD

Number of businesses in the U.S. fishing sector: 67.1k

Number of recreational fishing participants in the U.S.: 52.4m

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Market size of the fishing industry in the United States from 2013 to 2022 with a forecast for 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Fisheries & Aquaculture

U.S. fishing market size 2013-2023

Distribution of recreational fishing participants in the United States in 2022, by gender

Water-based Activities

Gender distribution of U.S. fishing participants 2022

Distribution of recreational fishing participants in the United States in 2022, by age group

Water-based Activities

Age distribution of U.S. fishing participants 2022

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Overview

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Participation

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Number of participants in recreational fishing in the United States from 2010 to 2021 (in millions)
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Number of participants in freshwater fishing in the United States from 2010 to 2022 (in millions)
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Number of participants in saltwater fishing in the United States from 2010 to 2022 (in millions)
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Number of participants in fly fishing in the United States from 2010 to 2022 (in millions)

Demographics

Premium Statistic Gender distribution of U.S. fishing participants 2022
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Distribution of recreational fishing participants in the United States in 2022, by gender
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Distribution of recreational fishing participants in the United States in 2022, by age group
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Distribution of recreational fishing participants in the United States in 2022, by annual household income
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Distribution of recreational fishing participants in the United States in 2022, by ethnicity
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Consumer behavior

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Sources of information for recreational fishing in the United States in 2022
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Share of fishing participants who caught fish on their last outing in the United States in 2022
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Uses of fish caught by fishing participants in the U.S. 2022
Distribution of recreational fishing participants in the United States in 2022, by uses of catch
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Advantages of recreational fishing according to participants in the United States in 2022

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