A lifesaver for fishing?
FISHING boosters are hailing a 2% increase in license holders last year as a sign that the industry’s growth drought is over. Figures from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report show a bump from 27,908 licensed anglers in 2003 to 28,499 in 2004.
Just as it has done for NASCAR, television may have played a role in the uptick. Fishing shows on ESPN2, Outdoor Life and other cable channels have exposed angling to an audience beyond the faithful.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Nov. 17, 2005 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday November 17, 2005 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 49 words Type of Material: Correction
Fishing licenses -- An article in Tuesday’s Outdoors section about the number of fishing licenses nationwide said a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report showed a bump from 27,908 anglers in 2003 to 28,499 in 2004. In fact, the numbers were 27,908,272 anglers in 2003 and 28,499,206 in 2004.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday November 22, 2005 Home Edition Outdoors Part F Page 3 Features Desk 1 inches; 48 words Type of Material: Correction
Fishing licenses -- An article in last week’s section about the number of fishing licenses nationwide incorrectly said a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report showed a bump from 27,908 anglers in 2003 to 28,499 in 2004. The numbers should be 27,908,272 in 2003 to 28,499,206 in 2004.
The number of Americans who own fishing licenses slipped from a high of 19% in the ‘80s to 10% in 2004.
The fishing business has also stepped up its marketing in recent years, adding competitive events such as the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series and the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series to stoke interest.
-- Joe Robinson
