Anglers sparked economic boom

LEWISTON – An Idaho Fish and Game Department survey shows anglers spent $438 million last year on fishing trips, pumping much-needed dollars into slumping local economies.

“Sport fishing in the state is a tremendous economic engine,” said Fish and Game Fisheries Chief Virgil Moore. “Most of us fish because it’s just fun, but in the process of having fun we spend money, and that is important to our local economies; and perhaps more important than anything, the rural economies of this state.”

The Clearwater region saw the most benefit, where anglers spent $87 million on food, lodging, guides and equipment. Clearwater is a haven for salmon and steelhead anglers, who fish the Salmon and Clearwater rivers.

Tourism spending is critical to small communities like Riggins, where fishing is just slowing down after a bustling two months of spring and summer chinook salmon fishing.

“It’s been a real economic boom for our town,” said Bob Zimmerman, the mayor of Riggins and owner of a tackle shop and liquor outlet.

The second-highest region was the Upper Snake River, home of the Henry’s Fork and numerous world class trout streams. Anglers spent $77 million in that region.

The biggest beneficiaries of the spending appears to be restaurants and grocery stores, which garnered an estimated $148.3 million. Transportation came in second at $91.2 million.

Individually, the 400,000 anglers each spent an average of $1,100 in 2003; about $112 per day while averaging nearly 10 days of fishing.

The mail-in survey was sent to more than 12,000 anglers.