Page 77 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE MARKET
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Anglers

Anglers are the largest and most established market in Oregon’s water
recreation market. They are responsible for 83% of all overnight stays from
water recreationists. Their market size is 2.5 times greater than motor boaters
and 3 times larger than paddlers. Fishing is also the favorite water-based
activity on all of Oregon’s top ten rivers and all of Clackamas County’s favorite
waterbodies. Fishing is so popular that it is even the favorite water-based
activity among paddlers. On the other hand, fishing has been anecdotally
referred to as a dying sport with rumors abound that fishing license sales have
been decreasing. This section investigates the extent to which this is true. How
could the sport be so popular, and the participation be declining? Is
participation actually declining? A review of fishing licenses sales helps provide
some answers.

Fishing licenses sales from 2009 to 2016 is used as an indicator of the market
demand for fishing in Oregon. The data is also being used as an indicator of
visitation by non-resident anglers. Total angling licenses sold form a u-shaped
curve from 2009 to 2012 but the overall trend from 2011 to 2016 shows a
compound annual average growth rate of one percent for 8 years. This includes
all fishing licenses sold by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Total demand
for angling does not appear to be in decline but instead rebounding from a
recent recession. Participation in angling nationwide also shows a similar
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pattern. Total participation in fishing nationwide is currently at the highest level since 2009 and has a net increase over the past 6 years .

The U-shaped pattern in Oregon fishing licenses sales from 2009 to 2012 can be explained by the visitation rates by non-residents. The great recession in the US economy
occurred in mid-2009 resulting in unprecedented levels of unemployment and a highly constrained travel and tourism industry. Overall, US tourism spending and employment
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decreased sharply during this time. Oregon’s tax revenue from local lodging also decreased in a similar pattern which corresponds to the national trend in travel and tourism,
and Oregon’s fishing license sales. These data show a strong relationship between fishing licenses sold and tourist visitation to Oregon.