Florida, Montana and Colorado lead the nation in nonresident fishing licenses
Source: Captain Experience analysis of data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Regionally, the Southeast, Mountain West and Alaska are the most popular travel destinations for anglers, although several Great Lakes states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, also rank highly.
In the Southeast, Florida stands out with its diverse fishing opportunities, from deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico to fly fishing in the Everglades. Florida has the highest number of non-resident licenses sold, issuing 917,665 per year. The state's long coastline, numerous lakes and mild climate make it a great place to fish year-round, drawing anglers from across the country. Other popular fishing spots in the Southeast include Tennessee and the Carolinas.
In the Mountain West, Montana and Colorado follow with 739,575 and 511,912 non-resident fishing licenses sold, respectively. Both states are known for their pristine rivers and lakes, offering some of the best fly fishing in the world. Montana's Glacier National Park and Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park attract anglers looking for quality fishing in mountainous terrain. Similarly, neighboring states Idaho and Wyoming also rank highly for fishing tourism.
Alaska ranks fourth in non-resident fishing license sales and has long been a renowned fishing destination. Alaska issues 492,860 non-resident licenses annually, generating approximately $15.8 million in revenue, which accounts for 75.6% of Alaska's total fishing license revenue. Alaska is blessed with unique fishing opportunities, including salmon runs and deep sea fishing in the Pacific Ocean, making it a dream destination for avid anglers. The state's vast wilderness and untouched environment provide an unparalleled backdrop for nearly any outdoor activity.
Below is a breakdown of the 15 most popular states for fishing trip destinations. This analysis was conducted by Captain Experiences, a fishing and hunting guide booking platform, using data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For full results, see Captain Experiences' Most Popular Fishing Trip Destinations in the United States. For more information on how the analysis was conducted, see the Methodology section.
