1E: Quantifying the Value of Recreational Fishing in Utah

Hundreds of thousands of Utahns visit the state’s streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to fish each year. While each fishing license costs Utahns anywhere between $5 and $40, the social and personal value the state’s residents get from fishing is considerably greater. First-time anglers earn the chance of having a novel outdoor experience, while seasoned anglers find the opportunity to hone skills, spend time outside, and test equipment. Families and friends get the chance to be outside together, creating memories that may last a lifetime. 

These social and interpersonal values are often very difficult to quantify, but with the right methods and resources, it is possible to better understand how the experience of fishing is valued in the state. Researchers from Utah State University’s Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism used data from nearly 3,000 fishing trips, as well as geospatial data characterizing fishing opportunities, to estimate the value of recreational fishing in Utah—worth an estimated $1.28 billion to Utahns and out-ofstate visitors.1E But these valuable opportunities are at risk. Population growth, which is often associated with urban sprawl and a loss of access to fishing opportunities, is expected to lead to a loss of over $250 million by mid-century (Figure 1.E.1). Similarly, increases in air temperatures are making mid-summer trips less preferable, leading to a loss of another $200 million by 2050. Recognizing these shifts, managers can begin to anticipate likely impacts on both economic returns and well-being derived from fishing. Fisheries and land managers can make strategic policy decisions, such as preserving access to fishing opportunities in developing areas of the state, to mitigate these losses. Proactive management will support the sustainability of fishing experiences in Utah, fish habitat, and the fish themselves.