Over Forty-Six Million Americans Are Hooked On Fishing: Sport Reels In Influx of First Time and Returning Participants

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fishing remains among the most popular outdoor activities for adults, according to the 2015 Special Report on Fishing released today by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the Outdoor Foundation at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show (ICAST) in Orlando, Fla. The report reveals that more than 2.4 million people had their very first fishing experience in 2014, and a total of 46 million Americans participated in fishing.

Top 10 Report Learnings - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/ENR/236890-RBFF-2015-Special-Report-on-Fishing.pdf

"We are pleased with the findings of this report, including the 2.4 million newcomers who tried fishing for the first time in 2014," said RBFF President and CEO, Frank Peterson. "Fishing remains a popular outdoor activity and with increasing numbers of newcomers, we look to growing overall participation in the future, securing critical support for state conservation efforts."

"Recreational fishing is an essential piece of America's outdoor tradition, often leading children to a love of the outdoors and a healthy, active lifestyle," said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. "We hope this report will help the fishing industry — and the entire outdoor industry — engage young fishing participants and ultimately create the next generation of passionate outdoor enthusiasts."

The sixth annual report details fishing participation by gender, age, ethnicity, income, education and geography.

TOP 10 REPORT LEARNINGS

• Overall Participation – 46 million Americans (15.8% of the U.S. population ages 6 and older) participated in fishing in 2014
• Women Anglers – Over 47% of first-time fishing participants are female
• Outdoor Activity – Among adult outdoor participants, fishing is the second most popular outdoor activity
• Newcomers – More than 2.4 million people had their very first fishing experience in 2014
• Social – Nearly 82% of fishing trips involve more than one person
• Youth – Fishing participation as a child has a powerful effect on future participation – more than 85% of adult anglers fished as a child, before the age of 12
• Future Participants – Almost 4.3 million youth (11%) would like to try fishing, a growth opportunity for the industry
• Number of Outings for Hispanic Participants – Hispanic fishing participants average 25.8 days on the water per year; over six days more than the average for all fishing participants (19.4 days)
• Spontaneous – 81% of fishing trips are spontaneous or planned within a week of the trip
• Motivation – Spending time with family and friends continue to be the largest reason to participate in fishing, specifically, 72.2% for ages 6-12 and 66.8% for ages 13-17

The full study is available online at in the TakeMeFishing.org's Research and Evaluations section and can be downloaded here.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)
RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation's aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water. The campaign websites, TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org, feature how-to videos, information on how to get a fishing license and boat registration, and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots.

Follow Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ within the social media space:

About the Outdoor Foundation & Outdoor Nation

The charitable arm of the Outdoor Industry Association, The Outdoor Foundation is taking the lead nationally to inspire and empower a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts through its signature program Outdoor Nation. Launched in 2012, Outdoor Nation is the only national initiative that is engaging, empowering and investing in next-gen outdoor champions and outdoor projects – ensuring the future of outdoor participation.

SOURCE Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

Related Links

http://TakeMeFishing.org