Minnesota fish facts

• 1.4 million licensed anglers.

• 2 million people fish.

• Minnesota has 11,842 lakes, 5,400 of which are managed by DNR fisheries.

Participation

and the economy

• Fishing contributes $4.7 billion to the state’s economy.

• Minnesota ranks fourth among states with the highest number of anglers. The top three states are Florida, Texas and California. Wisconsin is fifth. (See source 1)

• As a percentage of population among those states, Minnesota boasts the largest number of resident anglers at 28 percent and is tied nationally with Alaska for the largest participation of resident anglers.

• Anglers spend $2.8 billion on fishing each year in Minnesota. (2)

• Dollars directly spent on fishing in Minnesota create an additional $1.9 billion in economic activity, boosting angling’s total statewide economic impact to $4.7 billion. (2)

• Equipment (rods, reels, line, boats, trailers, etc.) accounted for $1.2 billion of the $2.8 billion spent. Trip-related expenses accounted for $860 million. Other expenses such as bait and equipment rental accounted for $646 million. (1)

• Salaries, wages and business earnings directly related to fishing total $1.3 billion. (2)

• Fishing creates Minnesota 43,812 jobs. (2)

• Minnesota angling generates $350 million in federal tax revenues and $342 million in state and local tax revenues. (2)

Who goes fishing?

• Most resident anglers – 755,000 of them in fact – are from the seven-county metropolitan area. The remaining 388,000 resident anglers live outside the Twin Cities. (1)

• Men account for 69 percent of resident anglers. Woman account for 31 percent. (1)

• The highest percentage of participation comes in the 35-44 year old age group. Most of the remaining participants come from the 45-64 year old age group, with those 16-24 years old accounting for only 12 percent of the people who fish. (1)

• An estimated 40 percent of Minnesota anglers have household incomes of $50,000-$100,000. Households that make less than $50,000 annually account for 27 percent of Minnesota anglers. (1)

• An estimated 388,000 children ages 6-15 go fishing each year, with Twin Cities-area kids accounting for 76 percent of the total. Although close, more girls (52 percent) went fishing than boys (48 percent). Participation among age groups (6-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-15 years) remained fairly constant. (1)

Fishing habits

• Significantly more time is spent fishing on lakes rather than rivers and streams. (1)

• The average Minnesota angler spends 20 days fishing each year, with 86 percent of resident anglers never fishing anywhere else but Minnesota. (1)

• Only 3 percent of Minnesota anglers try their luck on Lake Superior. (1)

• Most sought-after fish species (in order): walleye, bluegill, northern pike, crappie, bass. (1)

• Most resident anglers spend nearly half their time fishing for walleye and bluegill. (1)

(1) National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

(2) Sportfishing in America, American Sportfishing Association