Trends in Recreational Angling Participation and Expenditures and Their Relationship to the Sport Fish Restoration Program

Many fish and wildlife restoration projects can trace their funding back to dollars collected and distributed under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program.  Funding comes from excise taxes and import duties on fishing equipment and gear manufactured for purchase by sportspersons along with motorboat and small engines fuels taxes.  In 2014, the WSFR Program funded $325.7 million to States for fish restoration and management projects and aquatic resource education.

This paper will explore various socio-economic trends in angler participation and expenditure patterns over the previous 20 years based primarily on data collected from the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.  The paper will also explore participation and expenditure trends based on localities along with the type of angling pursuits (e.g., cold water and warm water species).  Finally, it will contemplate how WSFR funding could be affected by notable trends in recreational angling activities.  By better understanding changes in the economic and demographic trends of anglers, State fish and wildlife agencies may be better suited to identify conservation and outreach projects that serve to both retain and recruit anglers who will help provide the necessary future support for this very important conservation program.