Less than half of licensed anglers renew their fishing license each year, and we wanted to know why. We asked lapsed anglers from around the country what they don’t like about fishing, the other activities they engage in instead, and how we can win them back. The good news is that fishing is still considered a top activity for lapsed anglers, even in the years that they don’t go. However, due to inconvenience, unfamiliarity with good fishing spots, or a preference by their family or friends to do something else, lapsed anglers perceive other activities as providing greater benefits. What activities are competing with fishing? Other outdoor recreation such as camping and hunting.

To redirect enthusiasm back towards fishing, we suggest the following: provide resources about fishing locally, encourage fishing among social networks, partner with tackle retailers, and offer small hands-on fishing programs.

Explore the full study to learn why anglers don’t renew their license year after year and how to provide support to reverse this trend.