Fishing has become one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in America. A Statistia report says that more than 49 million of us went freshwater, saltwater, or fly fishing in 2017 – the same year that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did their every-five-year survey.
And if you think it’s something to put off until your retirement years, you should know what more than 60 percent of the 49 million American fishers were under the age of 45. There’s only one outdoor activity that beat out fishing – running.
Most people who fish participated in four to 11 trips during the season, while a small percentage admitted to doing it more than 100 times a year. We want your job if you’re one of these people! Nearly 30 million Americans paid for a fishing license last year, and the gross cost of these licenses generated more than $720 million dollars.
King of the Fishing Licenses
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the number of people who purchased fishing licenses last year. The Lone Star State leads the nation, with more than 1.8 million licenses. California and Florida were right behind Texas with 1.6 million and 1.5 million licenses, respectively. Minnesota, with fishing opportunities provided by all those ten thousand lakes, claimed fourth place with 1.45 million licenses.
But let’s look at these numbers a bit more closely. Texas has a state population of 28.7 million people. In comparison, Minnesota has a population of only about 5.6 million. Crunching the math, Minnesota soundly trounces Texas with about 25.9 percent of residents holding fishing licenses compared to just 6.3 percent of those who live in Texas. It’s plainly clear to see who loves fishing more. But just what is it that draws so many people to fishing?
It’s Good for You
According to news and lifestyle blog fix.com, a day of fishing can give you a total body workout. For starters, a morning or afternoon of fishing can burn up to 1,500 calories. Just about any kind of fishing requires small muscle groups we may not normally call upon, so it can help you to build fine motor skills.
Many fishermen (and women – so does that make the politically correct term “fisherpeople”?) will tell you that the key to a good catch is casting accuracy. All this practice aids in building hand-eye coordination. Even medical professionals promote fishing because it’s a low-impact physical activity which promotes strength and muscle growth.
Fishing is good for your head, too. Psychologists observe that fishing is reflective and can even be meditative. The whole process helps you to slow down and be in the moment. Many people who fish agree that a day of fishing provides relaxation.
The benefit has been demonstrated in clinical studies. A group of Iraq war veterans had to cortisol levels (a hormone linked to stress) measured before and after a weekend of fishing. Those who participated in the weekend fishing trip showed lower levels of cortisol for up to three weeks afterward. Another study by the National Academy of Sciences showed that simply being in a natural setting while fishing reduces neural activity in the area of the brain linked to risk of mental illness.
Finally, even on overcast days, being outside allows your body to absorb Vitamin D, which regulates calcium and phosphate for bone strength. Vitamin D has also been shown as an aid to fighting depression.
Capturing Hearts and Minds
Almost 49 million Americans can’t be wrong. Fishing is a way to connect with the environment and reconnect with our health. If you’re a business owner in this industry, we offer ways for you to connect with these people.
Most people don’t laminate their fishing licenses because they have to be replaced annually. Instead they look for license holders – preferably made of vinyl so they’ll offer protection. Your name and logo on a license holder gives you the opportunity to keep your brand top of mind throughout the entire fishing season.
Want to Learn More?
Contact the Vinyl Art Team at 800-569-1304
Rob Slattery | Executive Sales Director | robs@vinylart.wpengine.com
Tim Hitchings | Vice President | timhitchings@vinylart.wpengine.com
