Who’s Fishing the Most? A Look at America’s Top Fishing States

Have you ever wondered which states have the most people heading out to fish each year? We’ve put together a list of the top fishing states based on the number of licenses sold. It’s a simple way to see where fishing is the most popular in the U.S.

Based on recent numbers, California sold more than 2.18 million fishing licenses in 2024. That puts it ahead of every other state.

Texas came in close, with around 2.1 million licenses sold in 2023. Florida followed with about 1.7 million. These three states consistently rank high due to their size, climate, and wide range of fishing spots—from coastal waters to lakes and rivers.

Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan also saw strong license sales, each with over a million. These states are known for freshwater fishing and draw large numbers of residents and visitors during warmer months. Minnesota reported around 1.5 million licenses, Wisconsin 1.4 million, and Michigan about 1.2 million in 2023.

Together, these six states account for millions of licensed anglers and reflect how fishing continues to thrive across America’s wide-open lakes, winding rivers, and scenic coastlines.

Fishing Licenses Sold: 2,184,487

Year: 2024

Fishing Licenses Sold: ~2,100,000

Year: 2023

Fishing Licenses Sold: ~1,700,000

Year: 2023

Fishing Licenses Sold: ~1,500,000

Year: 2023

Fishing Licenses Sold: ~1,400,000

Year: 2023

Fishing Licenses Sold: ~1,200,000

Year: 2023