Mountain trout fishing is an important recreational activity in North Carolina and our area. According to a recently published economic report from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission it’s estimated the mountain-based freshwater fish and the fishermen trying to catch them, generate over $1.38 billion across North Carolina.
Nearly 369,968 anglers visited to fish in the region. Of those anglers, 87% are in-state residents. For every dollar spent by a trout angler, the wildlife commission estimates a $1.93 return to the state economy, supporting 11,808 jobs. These anglers spent a collective 4.6 million days fishing for trout with the average angler taking 9 trout fishing trips. On average, North Carolina trout anglers spent $240 per trout fishing trip, which totaled $587,553,393 million on trip-related expenditures in North Carolina. The overall economic impact of these trout fishing expenditures in North Carolina in 2022 was $1.38 billion. Direct spending by trout anglers in the state totaled $1.34 billion between trip and equipment expenditures. Trout fishing also directly and indirectly supported 11,808 full- and part- time jobs across the state. Anglers reported fishing the most in Ashe, Watauga, Avery, Jackson and Haywood counties, and fishing mostly on public lands.
The primary motivations are fishing for sport and fishing for relaxation. Results from this project show that access remains the primary problem, and in the future, it will be important to not only retain but increase access.
