The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) recently released its 2025 Special Report on Fishing. The report says that an estimated 57.9 million Americans who are 6 years old and up went fishing in 2024—surpassing 2023’s previous record of 57.7 million.

The national participation rate in fishing was 19 percent. This held steady from the previous year, when it hit an all-time-high rate.

Demographic expansion

Women now represent 37 percent of all fishing participants, according to the data. This maintains the record participation rate among this demographic set in 2023.

Additionally, the number of Hispanic anglers has nearly doubled over the past decade. In 2014, there were 3.3 million Hispanic fishing participants; in 2024, that number was 6.6 million.

Black anglers also participated more in the sport— 5.5 million in 2024—which was also the highest number of participants in this demographic on record since reporting began in 2007.

What motivates people to go or stop fishing?

The top motivators for why anglers got on the water for the first time aren’t surprising: They enjoy spending time with family, experiencing the adventure of the sport and want to try something new.

However, there were also common reasons people stopped fishing. Those themes include feeling bored, not enough success catching fish and believing the hobby was too expensive.

Obstacles cited for enjoying or participating in fishing were overcrowding at fishing spots and the negative aspects of being outdoors (bugs, heat, etc.). That said, there were also resources listed that participants said would help them enjoy fishing: Local information on nearby bodies of water, easier/more affordable access to fishing equipment and easier/more affordable access to boats.

When it comes to attracting new anglers, age is crucial. RBFF reports that roughly 85 percent of current fishing participants tried the sport before 12 years old. Participation drops significantly after 18 years old.

RBFF is a nonprofit established in 1998 with a mission to increase participation in recreational boating and fishing. The foundation also supports conservation of marine natural resources. Last month, the Department of the Interior (DOI) canceled RBFF’s grant funding, and the nonprofit is working on its next steps.