💰
$51.4B
Annual Economic Output
USFWS 2022 National Survey
🎣
49.4M
Licensed Anglers
RBFF Participation Report 2023
💼
1.4M
Jobs Supported
ASA Economic Analysis
🌎
$7.4B
Federal + State Tax Revenue
ASA Sportfishing in America 2023
📍
883M
Days Fished per Year
USFWS National Survey
🦾
$1,040
Average Angler Spend/Year
USFWS per-angler calculation
State Economic Impact
Your Per-Trip Economic Contribution
Round trip
Total for trip
Lures, line, tackle
Total Trip Spend
$345
$4,140
Your annual fishing contributes approximately this much to local economies
Conservation Return on Investment

$9.35

Every $1 in fishing license fees generates $9.35 in economic activity through the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Program.

$800M+

Annual Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund revenue from excise taxes on fishing equipment. Funds habitat restoration, boat access, and aquatic education in all 50 states.

174,000

Lake and reservoir acres improved through Sport Fish Restoration projects since 1950. Plus 111,000 miles of streams enhanced for fish habitat.

3:1 Ratio

For every $1 spent on wetland conservation, $3 is returned in flood protection, water filtration, and recreational value. Anglers fund the largest share.

$1.5B

Annual state fishing license revenue nationwide. This is the primary funding mechanism for state fish and wildlife agencies managing 780 million acres of habitat.

72%

Percentage of state fish & wildlife agency funding that comes from anglers and hunters through licenses, permits, and excise taxes -- not general tax revenue.

Data Sources & Citations