After two decades of flat or declining participation, people
fishing in the U.S are on the rise. In 2011 90.1 million
Americans, 38 percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and
older, enjoyed some form of fishing or wildlife-associated
recreation. On average, each sports person spent $2,407 in 2011.
That's according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's 2011 National Survey on Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife
Associated Recreation. The data show an 11 percent increase in
anglers compared to the 2006 survey. In particular, saltwater
angling participation increased 15 percent. Anglers spent about
17 days fishing in 2011. Most notable, however, is that anglers
continued their strong spending habits. Outdoor recreation is a
huge contributor to our nation’s economy. Equipment expenditures
($6.2 billion for anglers) to special equipment ($25 billion
toward boats and other such vehicles) to trip-related expenses
totaled over $32 billion. Sportsmen and women continue to spend
their discretionary income to