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FWC Home : Conservation : Value of Conservation : Economic Impact of Freshwater Fishing in

Florida : 

The Economic Impact of Freshwater Fishing in

Florida

In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau did a "National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting and Wildlife-Related Recreation" (4.2MB) to determine 

the amount of participation and economic impact of these outdoor 

activities nationwide. The study was conducted under a grant from 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is the benchmark for this 

type economic analysis and allows unbiased state comparisons

(2.6MB). There is also a more detailed Florida report (7MB).

Southwick Associates has provided a summary of the national

economic impacts of recreational fishing (211KB) in various 

categories that again justify Florida's status as the Fishing Capital 

of the World. The Fish and Wildlife Service also provides a 

summary brochure .

Based on the 2006 National Survey, Florida again ranks number one in In-State Anglers (2.8 million 

vs. #2 Texas with 2.5 million), Angler Expenditures in State ($4.4 billion vs. #2 Texas with $3.4 

billion), Angler-supported jobs (75,068 vs. #2 Texas with 59,938), State and local taxes generated 

by sport fishing ($440 million vs. #2 Texas with $392 million). 

Of the 2.8 million anglers fishing in Florida, 1.9 million were resident and 0.9 million were nonresident (tourists). Anglers averaged 17.2 days per year fishing in Florida, for a total of 46.3 million 

days of quality outdoor recreation. Of those, 24.4 million days were spent in fresh water by 1.4 

million anglers and, 23.1 million days were spent in saltwater by 2.0 million anglers.

Nonresident anglers spent over $1 billion in direct retail sales in Florida--not mentioning the other 

dollars they spent on tourism while in Florida. The next highest state for non-resident angler 

spending was Wisconsin with less than $0.6 billion No wonder Florida is the "Fishing Capital of the

World." A further breakdown based on the detailed economic analysis by Southwick and 

Associates includes the multiplier or ripple effect on the community caused by these sales and 

visitors.

 Saltwater Fishing - $5.1 billion, 51,588 jobs

 Freshwater Fishing - $2.4 billion, 23,480 jobs

 Total Fishing - $6.1 billion (some anglers don’t specify fresh or salt so the total is less than the 

sum of freshwater and saltwater), 52,945 jobs

 Generated $358 million in Federal tax revenues

 Generated $316 million in state and local tax revenues

 Value of Conservation

 Conservation markets

 Economic Impact of 

Outdoor Recreation

 Economic Value of 

Freshwater Fishing

 Economic Value of 

Saltwater Fishing

 How do we put a value 

on conservation land?

 Land Use Planning

 Quality of Life

 Florida Wildlife 

Conservation Guide

National Survey Results:

FWC - The Economic Impact of Freshwater Fishing... Page 1 of 3

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Hourly Expenditures:

The following hourly expenditure analysis is based on 2001 data (the latest broken down to this 

level of detail). You can use an inflation calculator to update these figures to the current year. In

2001 dollars freshwater fishing in Florida was estimated to generate $1.057 billion in retail sales, 

which produced an economic impact of $1.962 billion. This economic boon to the state of Florida

sustained nearly 20,000 jobs and provided recreation for 1.316 million anglers (resident and nonresident), who spent 20.840 million days fishing. 

Black bass anglers fished a total of 12.2 million days in Florida, for an average of 9.3 days per 

angler in 2001. Black bass continue to be the most popular sport fish in the nation in terms of 

fishing effort. In Florida black bass anglers fish an average of 19 days each year. Nationally, an 

average angler spent $337 in trip-related expenses (food, transportation, bait, ice, etc.), $106 for 

fishing equipment (rods, reels, tackle boxes, etc), $18 for auxiliary equipment (clothes etc.), plus an 

average per year of $255 on special equipment (boats etc.), for a total of $716. Bass anglers spent 

significantly more with a total of $949 in trip related expenses annually (See USFWS/Black Bass 

Report; 1.1MB). 

Southwick Associates also compiled some very interesting economic comparisons for the 

Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and for the American Sportfishing Association that puts 

this in perspective, for instance: "Annual spending by Florida anglers is five times greater than the 

cash receipts from the state’s orange crop ($4.08 billion vs. $786 million).

Based on the survey done in 1996 (the last time this detail was available) an average angler spent 

$18.20 per hour fishing (high was for non-resident bass anglers at $43.89 and low was for resident 

cane pole fishermen at $5.94 per hour). More details are available in the December 2007 

FishBusters' Bulletin (114KB)

Freshwater Recreational Fishing License Sales:

License sales can be highly variable between years and are influenced by factors such as gasoline 

prices, the economy and weather conditions. It is important to note that only about half of Florida 

anglers actually have to purchase a license due to various exemptions, so these numbers do not 

reflect participation. To learn more about fishing licenses and how the fees are used see the April 

2007 FishBusters' column on license fee uses and history.

Freshwater License Sales summary for FY 2009-10: 

FRESHWATER UNITS TOTAL 

COST REVENUE

Resident 432,919 $13,396,033 $6,954,508 

Non-Resident 94,832 $2,839,155 $2,839,155 

 Short- Term 54,809 $1,018,109 $1,018,109 

Annual 40,023 $1,821,047 $1,821,047 

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Complete Fishing/Hunting License sales summaries for the last fiscal year (2009-10) and previous 

years (2008-09) (2007-08) and (2006-07) are also available with a more detailed explanation 

Click chart for an enlarged printable chart of license sales 

Top of page

Grand Total 527,751 $16,235,188 $9,793,663 

Graph depicting fishing license sales trend-relatively flat

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