According to the latest data, one out of five customers who bought fishing equipment in 2020 was female. We are also seeing a sharp rise in the number of women who are entering competitions as well.
Latest statistics show that more women than ever picked up a rod in 2021, with women now making up 36% of all anglers in the United States. You can find out more about that by reading the stats on fishing sites like The Fisherman. With 3.8 million more women fishing now compared to a decade ago, it’s not hard to see how much the sport has taken off, and how women stand to have a huge impact on the fishing sector as a whole.
What is Causing the Rise in Female Anglers?
One of the many things that is helping to drive the number of female anglers would be how much fishing as a whole is being popularised in modern media. Take Wicked Tuna, for example. This follows commercial fishermen as they try and bring home huge catches, while battling treacherous conditions. The show regularly attracted over one million viewers and helped to put a spotlight on fishing. You also have games, like Ultimate Fishing Simulator.
This helps to showcase the number of techniques that can be used in fishing, while giving people who may be new to the sport the chance to fish across different locations all across the world. In other gaming verticals, there is also the Fishin’ Frenzy slot game. This features fish to fishing tackle and other graphics synonymous with the sport, along with greedy seagulls who often make an appearance. Not only does this offer a more casual take on fishing, but it also goes to show how far-reaching the sport is.
To make things even more interesting, we are also seeing a rise in angler fashion. Fly-fishing chic outfits are now in, with checked shirts, waxed jackets, and old-fashioned styles making a comeback now more than ever. Not only does this mimic the relaxed feel of the sport, but it also helps to showcase the huge impact of fishing, even in 2025.
Could Female Anglers Drive the Fishing Industry Forward?
Female anglers could well be presenting a huge revenue opportunity for the fishing sector. When you break down the data, if we saw just a 10% rise in the number of female anglers, this would add $1 billion in revenue to the fishing sector.
Each female who takes up fishing could contribute $1,000 in annual revenue. With women in the South and the Midwest spending $3.5 billion each on fishing gear, it shows how keen women are to take up the sport. When you consider the fact that 54% of households see women planning recreational activities and holidays, this is also a key driving factor that is really helping the sector.
There is also a difference between saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing. Not only is saltwater fishing on the rise according to Anglers Journal, 35% of women say they prefer to fish in saltwater.
No matter which type of fishing you prefer, is it exciting to see this typically male-dominated pastime become a favorite among women.
