Rebecca J. Travnichek and Howard A. Clonts

More than one million acres of rivers, reservoirs, and private impoundments in Alabama support an industry with a dramatic economic impact, primarily in rural communities. A recent AAES study found that licensed Alabama anglers spent almost $800 million on fishing and fishing-related activities in 1994. When this amount is combined with estimated expenditures of resident nonlicensed and nonresident licensed anglers, Alabama's economy gained about $1.3 billion from recreational fishing.

These expenditures were determined by surveying individuals who purchased fishing licenses during 1994. Questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 1,750 residents holding rod-n-reel, saltwater, fresh- and saltwater combination, hunting and fishing combination, lifetime fishing, and lifetime hunting and fishing permits. Usable survey forms were returned by 23% of this sample. Nonresponse bias was tested and found not to be a problem.

The typical licensed angler in Alabama is a white, married, middle-aged male. Most come from small towns and have completed some college education. Household income was relatively high—$46,600. Respondents also reported that fishing was a lifetime, family activity, for which $2,330 per angler was spent in 1994. Fish species most sought by respondents were largemouth bass, bream, catfish, and crappie in fresh waters; and snapper, red fish, flounder, and mackerel in saltwater. Expenditures for fishing-related equipment and activities have a significant impact on Alabama's economy (see table).

North Alabama counties account for slightly more than 60% of the state's population, but the anglers who live there accounted for nearly three-fourths of total fishing-related expenditures (figures 1 and 2). This finding suggests that northern recreational anglers tend to spend more money on their fishing activities than southern anglers. However, a definite pattern of money flow from North to South was recognized. North Alabama anglers spend a significant portion of their money in southern counties. One reason for this spending pattern is that many northern fishing enthusiasts buy boats and related equipment in South Alabama for use in their home counties.
Unfortunately, 15% of the fishing-related equipment and activity purchases by Alabama anglers were made outside the state. This finding suggests the possibility that (a) manufacturers and businesses may not offer recreational anglers in Alabama the equipment they need at a price competitive with other states, (b) licensed anglers who are fishing outside Alabama would rather purchase equipment and supplies closer to their intended fishing location, or (c) both fresh- and saltwater fishing activities were pursued in states other than Alabama. Anglers in northeast and southwest counties accounted for 66% of the total dollars spent in other states. The lower amounts spent out-of-state in Northwest and Southeast Alabama suggest that local resources sufficiently meet the needs of anglers in those regions.

Surprisingly, relatively little of the expenditures made in Alabama were specifically for saltwater fishing. Initially, anglers living in southern counties, especially in the Southwest, were expected to be primarily interested in saltwater fishing activities. However, this did not prove true. Expenditures for freshwater fishing activities were dominant in both southern regions.

In summary, the estimated 1994 expenditures of Alabama's 452,113 resident licensed anglers were quite substantial. This spending is important to Alabama, especially to the rural communities that are home to most fishing areas. Fishing-related expenditures support many businesses and industries in Alabama and surrounding states.

Travnichek is the Regional Consumer and Family Sciences Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension System in Savannah, Mo., and a former Doctoral Candidate in Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology. Clonts is the Interim Director of the Auburn University Environmental Institute.