2021 Fishing Participation Exceeds 50 Million

Fifty-two million Americans age 6+ went fishing in 2021, according to preliminary data from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) 2022 Special Report on Fishing. Down slightly from 2020, fishing participation exceeded 50 million for the second time in 14 years, posting gains over 2019 and supporting a six-year upward trend.

RBFF is releasing participation data in advance of the summer season to help inform the industry’s efforts to engage and retain new audiences to support continued participation.

2022 Special Report Findings

• In 2021, 52.4 million Americans went fishing, up 4.5% over 2019.
• 9 million youth (ages 6-17) went fishing in 2021, up 14% over 2019.
• 7 million Hispanics fished in 2021, up 7% over 2019.
• 4 million women went fishing in 2021, up 8% over 2019.
• 86% of current fishing participants first fished before age 12, demonstrating the critical importance of introducing fishing at a young age.
• Americans primarily fished to enjoy the splendor of nature while escaping the usual demands of life.

RBFF will continue to release new fishing participation data over several weeks. The full report will be available in early Summer.