In total, 57 million Americans, roughly 18 percent of the U.S. population, went fishing in 2025. Beyond catching fish, the report found other reasons Americans went fishing included to enjoy nature, escape everyday stress and spend time with family and friends. 3 million Americans tried fishing for the first time in 2025, representing 11 percent of total participants, up from 9 percent in 2024. 6 million Americans ages 6 and over went freshwater fishing in 2025, holding steady for the fourth consecutive year. Youth participation (ages 6-12) is down slightly in 2025, however participation among ages 13-17 rose from 5.2 million to 5.4 million, and the participation rate ticked up from 24 percent to 25 percent.