The implications for Manistee County, with its 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 9 inland lakes over 50 acres in size, and 276 miles of rivers and streams, should be obvious. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a report called 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation: State Overview that was released this summer:
- In Michigan, fishing ranked highest for total expenditures, at $1.6 billion. Other activities included hunting ($0.9 billion) and wildlife watching ($1.5 billion).
- Among the 50 states, Michigan ranks fifth in terms of the total number of in-state anglers. We have 1.4 million! At the top are Florida, Texas, California, and Minnesota.
- Over one-third of Michigan residents are considered “wildlife watchers” (38%).
Clearly, fishing is big in Michigan! If you don’t believe it, check out this video of the fishing activity at Tippy Dam Pond on Thursday, October 4, 2007. Anglers were abundant and the salmon were biting! What a beautiful day!
The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation provides estimates of the number of wildlife-related recreationists and their expenditures for 2006.
