Fishing by the Numbers
Economics of Minnesota Fishing
Anglers
* 2.1 million: Number of people who fish in Minnesota each year
* 1.4 million: Number of fishing licenses sold
* 25 percent: Anglers who target specifically walleye when they fish
* 88: Number of fishing licenses sold per minute during peak of sales 24 hours before the fishing opener
Walleye
* 16 million: Estimated statewide walleye population of harvestable fish
* 3-4 million: Average annual statewide walleye harvest
* 85: Percent of walleye harvest that is naturally produced fish
* 1,200: Number of lakes in Minnesota with fishable populations of walleye
* 58: Number of walleye lakes with special walleye regulations
* 78: Number of lakes that provide nearly half the state’s walleye harvest
* 900: Number of Minnesota lakes stocked with walleye on a rotating basis
* 1880: The year walleye were first stocked in Minnesota
* 212 million: Number of fry to be stocked this year in 319 lakes
* 160,000: Pounds of fingerlings stocked by the DNR this year
* 17.8: Weight in pounds and ounces of Minnesota’s record walleye (Caught by Leroy Chiovette in 1979).
Weather
* 4: Number of fishing openers (of the last 54) in which a trace of snow was recorded
* 24: Lowest temperature recorded for a fishing opener (International Falls, 1996).
* 91: Highest temperature recorded for a fishing opener (Minneapolis, 1987)
* 1 in 4: Years in which measurable precipitation is recorded on the fishing opener
Economics
* 43,812: Fishing-related jobs in Minnesota
* $2.8 billion: Fishing-related retail sales
* $4.7 billion: The ripple effect of fishing-related sales on Minnesota’s economy
* $1.36 billion: Fishing-related salaries, wages and business earnings
* $342.2 million: Fishing-related state and local tax revenues
