More than just a quiet pastime, recreational fishing is a powerful economic engine that supports a vast workforce, fuels local economies, and plays a crucial role in funding conservation across the United States. The latest industry data reveals a sport that is not only holding onto its pandemic-era gains but also evolving with a new wave of diverse and casual participants. This in-depth report synthesizes the most recent statistics to provide a comprehensive analysis of fly fishing’s immense and growing economic footprint.
National Economic Powerhouse: The Broader Sportfishing Industry
To understand the scale of fly fishing, it’s essential to view it within the context of the entire U.S. sportfishing industry. A 2025 report from the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) reveals that the sportfishing industry generates a staggering $230.5 billion in annual economic output and supports 1.1 million jobs nationwide. This activity also contributes $70 billion in salaries and wages.
This economic impact is driven by angler expenditures on trips and gear, which totaled $72 billion in 2022 according to NOAA. This spending creates a “multiplier effect,” where money spent at a local fly shop or on a guided trip circulates through the community, boosting businesses like restaurants, hotels, and gas stations.
The Fly Fishing Market: A Growing and Specialized Sector
While part of the larger landscape, the fly fishing market boasts its own robust economy. The global market for fly fishing apparel and accessories was valued at $3.25 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $4.34 billion by 2030. The gear market itself was valued at $4.6 billion in 2024, with forecasts predicting it will hit $7.8 billion by 2033.
This growth is supported by a strong participant base. According to the 2025 Special Report on Fishing, fly fishing participation held strong in 2024 with 8.0 million participants. While this is a slight dip from the record 8.1 million in 2023, it represents a massive increase of over 2.2 million participants compared to a decade ago.
Geographic Impact: Top States for Angling Economics
The economic benefits of fishing are most pronounced in states with rich water resources and a strong outdoor culture. These states rely on fishing tourism as a cornerstone of their economies.
| Rank | State | Annual Economic Output from Recreational Fishing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | $13.9 billion |
| 2 | Texas | $7.7 billion |
| 3 | California | $6.2 billion |
| 4 | Minnesota | $4.2 billion |
| 5 | Michigan | $3.9 billion |
Source: American Sportfishing Association Report 2023
Notably, fly fishing is the only style of fishing where participation share in the West (25%) is higher than the region’s population share (24%), making it a regional stronghold for the sport.
A Changing Stream: Angler Participation & Demographics
The latest data reveals a dynamic and evolving community of anglers, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the industry.
Overall Fishing Trends In 2024, 57.9 million Americans aged 6 and over went fishing, a slight increase from 57.7 million in 2023 and the highest number on record. The national participation rate held steady at a record 19%. However, growth has slowed. After a net gain of 3.2 million participants in 2023, 2024 saw a more modest net gain of nearly 300,000 anglers, with 16.9 million new or returning anglers being offset by 16.6 million who left the sport.
Fly Fishing Specifics While participation numbers remain high, the frequency of outings has declined.
- The average number of annual outings for fly fishers was 10 in 2024, down from 11 in 2023.
- A significant 46% of fly fishers participated only 1 to 3 times in 2024, indicating a growing base of casual anglers. This compares to just 31% for freshwater and 43% for saltwater.
- Encouragingly, fly fishing attracted a high level of newcomers, with 17% of participants being first-timers in 2024—a rate significantly higher than both freshwater (11%) and saltwater (8%) fishing.
Participant Demographics Fly fishing remains the most male-dominated fishing category (69% male to 31% female). It also attracts participants with the highest income and education levels, with 48% reporting a household income over $75,000 in 2024. Across all fishing types, female participation remained at an all-time high of 21.3 million, representing 37% of all anglers.
Conservation Funding: The “User-Pays, Public-Benefits” Model
A vital aspect of the fishing economy is its direct contribution to conservation. Through the American System of Conservation Funding, anglers are the primary funders of the state agencies that manage the resources they use.
- Fishing Licenses: Sales of state fishing licenses generated nearly $898 million nationwide in 2023, providing a foundational budget for state fish and wildlife agencies.
- Excise Taxes: The Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson Act) of 1950 places a federal excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat fuel. Since its inception, this program has generated over $12 billion for conservation.
In total, anglers contribute an estimated $1.8 billion to conservation annually. This ensures that as the sport grows, so does the funding available to protect and enhance the nation’s fisheries.
Conclusion: A Prosperous and Evolving Industry
The data paints a clear picture: fly fishing is a dynamic, multi-billion-dollar industry with a passionate base. While growth in participation has leveled off from its recent peak, the sport’s ability to attract a high percentage of first-time participants signals a healthy future. However, this future is intrinsically linked to the health of our aquatic ecosystems. The challenge ahead lies in retaining the new, more casual angler and continuing to advocate for robust conservation policies. The symbiotic relationship between economic vitality and environmental stewardship remains the bedrock of this thriving industry.
