ALEXANDRIA, VA – In 2023, a record 57.7 million Americans took to the water for recreational fishing, marking a 6 percent increase from 2022. This surpasses the previous all-time records set in 2020 during COVID-19 shutdowns. Despite this growth, the industry still faces challenges with participant retention, particularly among female youth, according to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) 2024 Special Report on Fishing.
The report emphasizes the importance of introducing fishing at a young age, as 87 percent of current fishing participants started before the age of 12. However, participation drops sharply after age 18, with female youth quitting at an 11% higher rate than male youth. “These disparities show that engaging families with young children is key to growing future participation,” said RBFF President & CEO Dave Chanda. “Connecting youth to fishing will ensure our nation’s waterways are protected, our communities are healthy, and our industry is thriving.”
Key Findings from the 2024 Report:
- Women in Fishing: 21.3 million women went fishing in 2023, the highest number on record.
- First-time Participants: 4.2 million Americans tried fishing for the first time in 2023.
- Hispanic American Participation: Nearly doubled in a decade, from 3.5 million in 2013 to 6.3 million in 2023.
- Fly Fishing Milestone: Participation topped 8 million for the first time.
- Black American Participation: 5.2 million Black Americans fished in 2023, the highest number since tracking began in 2007.
- Female Representation: Women made up 37 percent of total anglers, 41 percent of first-time participants, and 45 percent of those considering fishing.
- Saltwater Fishing Growth: Participation increased by 5 percent to 15 million participants.
Relaxation was a key driver for new anglers in 2023, with many also citing spending time with family and friends as an inspiration for fishing. The report highlights the importance of understanding the demographics, motivations, and barriers to better reach and retain new anglers, who are younger, more diverse, and digitally connected.
Industry Response:
“The decline in youth participation represents a huge opportunity for the industry to come together and address the issue,” said Stephanie Vatalaro, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations at RBFF. “Girls who fish become women who fish. It’s our responsibility to provide great fishing experiences, convenient water access, beginner educational resources, cost-effective equipment, and emphasize that fishing is more than a hobby – it’s a way of life.”
The Special Report on Fishing, now in its 14th year, offers a comprehensive overview of fishing participation in the U.S., including participation numbers among key groups, barriers to entry, reasons for participation, and more. The report is a collaborative effort between RBFF and the Outdoor Foundation.
