The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s 2025 Special Report on Fishing found that a record 57.9 million Americans age 6 and older participated in sport fishing in 2024, representing 19 percent of the U.S. population. While participation numbers reached new highs across multiple demographic groups, the report warns that churn — the rate at which participants leave the sport — remains a pressing concern.
“Retaining newcomers remains an integral part of fishing’s continued success,” RBFF president and CEO Dave Chanda said in a statement released by the NMMA. The RBFF’s funding ceased in July.
“The industry must remind newcomers about great fishing experiences, highlight convenient water access, provide beginner educational resources, emphasize the social aspects of fishing and boating and recommend cost-effective equipment,” Chanda said.
The Special Report on Fishing, an annual report in its 15th year, provides an overview of fishing participation in the U.S., including participation numbers among key groups, barriers to entry, reasons for participation and more. RBFF created the report in partnership with the Outdoor Foundation.
The full report is available here.
