New federal data confirm that anglers who enjoy Minnesota's sky blue waters are still a powerful engine for the state's economy.
Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service show that direct spending by resident and nonresident anglers in Minnesota totaled $2.4 billion in 2011. That's the latest year for which information is available. That amount includes $1.4 billion on equipment and $925 million on trip-related spending. The agency also says angler spending supports about 35,000 Minnesota jobs.
However, the federal agency also found that angler spending declined by $315 million since the last survey, in 2006. The average amount spent per individual angler dropped by about $300.
The Department of Natural Resources notes that only three states recorded higher spending on sport fishing than Minnesota: Florida, New York and Michigan.
Associated Press
