Fishing remains the number 2 water-related outdoor sport in the United States, according to a 1997 survey from the National Sporting Goods Association. Swimming ranks first among water-related outdoor sports, with more than 59 million participants age 7 or older, while fishing ranks second with nearly 45 million participants. Power boating is the third most popular water sport, with more than 27 million participants.

"Fishing participation has remained fairly steady over the past 5 years, and the latest NSGA survey reflects that," said Dr. Vishwanie Maharaj, ASA director of economics. Among all 57 indoor and outdoor sports and fitness activities surveyed, fishing is seventh. Exercise walking still ranks No. 1, with more than 76 million participants. Hunting with firearms ranks 18th, with 17 million people participating.

"It's worth noting that fishing still out-strips golf nearly 2 to 1, even though golfing participation increased about 14 percent during 1997," Maharaj said.

American Sportfishing Association, Vol. 1, ,No. 9, July/August 1998