US fishing participation dips for first time since 2021 despite 10-year growth

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has released its 2026 Special Report on Fishing, revealing that 57 million Americans – around 18% of the US population – went fishing in 2025.

Although participation remains almost 25% higher than it was a decade ago, the report marks the first year-on-year decline since 2021, with angler numbers slipping from 57.9 million in 2024.

ASA President and CEO Glenn Hughes (left) said the findings highlight both the enduring appeal of recreational fishing and the challenges facing the sector.

“Fishing continued to bring Americans together in 2025, connecting people to the outdoors, supporting families and strengthening communities and local economies,” Hughes said. “However, while the long-term trend remains positive, keeping anglers engaged is becoming increasingly difficult. Around 19 million people left the sport in 2025, representing the highest churn rate ever recorded.”

The report found that fishing remains about much more than catching fish. Many participants cited spending time in nature, escaping everyday stress and enjoying time with family and friends as their main motivations. Conversely, crowded venues, uncomfortable outdoor conditions, poor water quality, disappointing catches and the rising cost of equipment were among the leading reasons for dissatisfaction.

ASA also pointed to the suspension of federal funding in early 2025 for the National Outreach and Communications Program, established under the Dingell-Johnson Act, as a significant setback. The programme supports introductory fishing initiatives, recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) campaigns, plus marketing efforts designed to encourage new and returning anglers.

The association stressed that recreational anglers play a vital role in conservation funding. Through fishing licence sales and the 10% federal excise tax on sportfishing equipment under the Dingell-Johnson Act, anglers and manufacturers help finance fisheries management, habitat restoration and public access projects across the United States. Since 1950, the programme has generated more than US$12 billion for fisheries conservation.

Hughes warned that declining participation has consequences far beyond tackle sales.“Lower participation ultimately means reduced conservation funding, fewer fish stocking programmes, less habitat restoration and diminished public access,” he said. “As technology and other leisure activities compete for people’s time, investment in angler recruitment and retention has never been more important.”

Despite the decline in overall participation, the report highlights several encouraging trends.

A record 15.5 million Americans went saltwater fishing in 2025, an increase of 400,000 over the previous year and the fourth consecutive annual record. Freshwater participation remained stable at 41.6 million anglers for the fourth straight year while fly fishing slipped slightly to 7.9 million participants – still nearly two million higher than a decade ago.

More than six million Americans tried fishing for the first time during 2025, accounting for 11% of all anglers, up from 9% the previous year.

The report also recorded continued growth in participation among traditionally under-represented groups. Nearly six million black Americans fished in 2025 – the highest figure since records began in 2007 – while Hispanic participation reached a record 6.9 million, double the level recorded a decade earlier. Female participation eased slightly to 21.1 million, but remains 34% higher than ten years ago.

Youth engagement continues to be identified as the strongest predictor of lifelong participation. While participation among children aged six to 12 declined marginally, the number of anglers aged 13 to 17 increased from 5.2 million to 5.4 million, with participation rising from 24% to 25%.

The research also found that Americans are spending more time on the water, with total fishing outings increasing by 3% to 918 million trips in 2025.

Looking ahead, ASA believes there is considerable potential for future growth. The report found that 10% of Americans who did not fish in 2025 – and 15% of children – had considered taking up the sport. It also noted that 86% of current anglers first fished before the age of 12, underlining the importance of introducing children to angling.

Despite the record churn rate, optimism remains high, with 99% of anglers surveyed saying they expect to fish again in 2026. Earlier this year, the ASA’s Fish America Foundation launched its first dedicated R3 grant programme to support initiatives aimed at recruiting, retaining and reactivating anglers through partnerships with tackle retailers, manufacturers and non-profit organisations.

The annual Special Report on Fishing is regarded as the most comprehensive assessment of recreational fishing participation in the United States. Produced by ASA in partnership with the Outdoor Industry Association, the 2026 edition draws on responses from more than 18,000 participants and provides detailed insight into angler demographics, participation trends and motivations.

For the full report click here