Florida cannot be beat as the No. 1 place to cast a
line, pitch a lure or land a lunker. No tall fisher’s tale here —
this title has been earned, according to a survey by the U.S. Census
Bureau.
Every five years the Census Bureau conducts the “National
Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.”
This survey is the gold standard for comparing outdoor recreational
activities between the states. Once again it proves that Florida is
the number one fishing destination, according to the 2006 results.
The facts tell where anglers go for the best fishing opportunities.
Florida provided 46.3 million days of recreational fishing in 2006
versus 41.1 million days in Texas, the second highest state. Of
fishing days spent in Florida, 4.8 million days were by tourists
(nonresidents), while Wisconsin, the second highest state for
tourist days, provided 3.8 million days. In terms of nonresident
anglers, Florida is also number one with 885,000, versus No. 2 North
Carolina with less than half that at 395,000.
But the story does not end there. Overall Florida again ranked first
in number of fishing participants age 16 and older with 2.77
million. Runner-up Texas had 2.53 million participants. However, in
2001 Florida had 3.10 million anglers, so there has been a decline
of approximately 11 percent over five years according to these
estimates.
If you look at the decline as a percentage of the population, which
has been rapidly increasing, the percent decline is a little more
dramatic. In 2001, national rates were 16 percent and in Florida 17
percent of the population fished. Those rates dropped to 13 percent
nationally and to 14 percent in the Sunshine State in 2006. On the
positive side, the number of fishing days per angler has increased
nationally, with the average angler fishing 17 days out of the year
in 2006.
Anglers
in Florida spent $4.4 billion in 2006, allowing Florida to claim
another No. 1 spot as the place where anglers spend the most money.
The Lone-Star State was second best with $4.3 billion spent on
fishing. Recreational fishing dollars helped to support 75,068 jobs
in Florida, again making it No. 1, with Texas trailing behind with
58,938 jobs. This economic trend is great news for Florida partially
because state and local taxes from the sale of fishing-related goods
and services generated $441 million for general funds.
In spite of the national estimates of fishing participation for all
U.S. anglers (does not include foreign anglers) over 16 years of age
decreasing, actual fishing license sales for both freshwater and
saltwater have increased in Florida. From 2001-02, with 1,070,577
licenses sold to 2006-07 with 1,188,092, there was an increase of 11
percent in the sale of saltwater licenses. Freshwater license sales
increased, from 587,413 sold in 2001-02 to 630,078 in 2006-07,
showing an increase of 7 percent. Although not enough to keep pace
with the population increase, it is certainly better than competing
states.
In calendar year 2006, the National Survey estimated 2.77 million
anglers fished in Florida, and during fiscal year 2006-07 (July 1 to
June 30), 1.55 million fishing licenses were sold. This discrepancy
is partially the result of seniors (age 65 and older), resident
saltwater shoreline anglers and several other groups, including
those fishing from licensed saltwater piers or charter boats, being
exempt from licensing.
No one can dispute the facts and figures. Florida remains the
Fishing Capital of the World because of great resources and
responsible management. With a huge variety of fish, fishing waters
and fishing styles to choose from, along with year-round fishing
weather, there is little doubt that Florida will remain the place to
go fishing. You can help ensure a vibrant future with high quality,
sustainable and safe fishing opportunities by being an ethical
angler, mentoring a youth or friend and keeping your license
current.
