Another reason to breach the dams

[Ithaca 37]

Anglers spent $438 million in Idaho in 2003, survey says
Sport fishing in Idaho generates hundreds of millions of dollars in spending every year, according to a survey by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

The survey shows that in 2003, anglers spent $438 million while fishing in Idaho. That means the state's 400,800 anglers each spent an average of $1,100 in 2003, or $112 per day, while averaging nearly 10 days of fishing.

"Sport fishing in the state is a tremendous economic engine," said fisheries chief Virgil Moore, who presented the survey's findings Thursday at the Idaho Fish and Game Commission's regular meeting in St. Maries. "Most of us fish because it's just fun, but in the process of having fun we spend money, and that is important to our local economies; and perhaps more important than anything, the rural economies of this state."

The department sent out 48,000 surveys to people randomly selected from the list of those who had purchased fishing licenses, according to Fred Partridge, resident fisheries coordinator with F&G. It asked anglers where they fished, how much they spent and how often they fished. More than 12,000 responded.

Partridge estimates the report cost the department about $120,000, most of which was spent on mailing and data entry.

The $438 million breaks down as follows:

• $148.3 million spent at restaurants and on groceries.

• $91.2 million for transportation,

• $60 million for equipment (boats, camping, etc.).

• $61.9 million for fishing tackle.

• $45 million on hotels and campgrounds.

• $31.5 million on outfitters and guides.

Here's a regional breakdown:

Region 1 — The Panhandle

• 488,000 fishing trips.

• $52 million spent by anglers.

Region 2 — The Clearwater

• 470,000 fishing trips.

• $87 million spent by anglers.

Region 3 — Southwest

• 668,000 fishing trips.

• $74 million spent by anglers.

Region 4 — Magic Valley

• 383,000 fishing trips.

• $42 million spent by anglers.

Region 5 — Southeast Region

• 206,000 fishing trips.

• $16 million spent by anglers.

Region 6 — Upper Snake

• 358,000 fishing trips.

• $77 million spent by anglers.

Region 7 — Salmon

• 189,000 fishing trips.

• $56 million spent by anglers.

===============================================

That amount would easily triple if we had better salmon and steelhead returns.

 

[Delw]

That amount would easily triple if we had better salmon and steelhead returns.

Based on just salmon and steelhead runs I would have to disagree with you. While it might bring more to the economy I dont think you would get the results your thinking.

Trout fishing and just fishing in general brings most of the money into most states.
the people who buy most of the fishing licence's are people who hunt and camp that will purchase one no mater what.

I dont think your going to find 400,800 or 801,600 more people to buy fishing licences just because the dams are breached.


Delw

 

[JoseCuervo]

Del,

The State did a study on a little 30 day season (I think that was how long it was) on the Little Salmon for Chinook, and I think the number they came up with proves Ithica's claim.

YOu would not believe the out of state license plates that show up along a river for Salmon/Steelhead, and we soak those boys for their $$$$$.

 

[BuzzH]

Delw,

I know you're wrong.

There has to be an incentive for people in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, etc. to buy a NR license in Idaho. That incentive is not to go to Idaho to catch 15 inch trout that you can catch in your own state. Its for the chance to hang a 15 pound+ salmon or steelhead.

I very rarely ever fished anything in Idaho EXCEPT salmon and steelhead. Why drive 180 miles on the shittiest road in Idaho (hwy 12) and purchase a $100 NR license to catch 15 inch trout? I could do that in Montana for a $15 license and travel 10 minutes from my front porch.

I've fished Idaho for salmon and steelhead since 1978 and you can see the fluctuations in NR fishing licenses, and money, ebb and flow with how the runs are doing. Its a pretty big investment for a MT, UT, etc. angler to make for a crappy run. But, if they know they can catch a few, they'll make the investment, its just the way people work.

I know for a fact that if Idaho didnt have salmon and steelhead, their NR license sales would fall off to nothing...as would the economy they create.

I also know that if they had twice as many salmon and steelhead, their license sales and economy would reflect that.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Del,

Here is the study from 2000 that I referenced.

Even at declining levels, salmon can make significant contributions to the economies of rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, according to a report by the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation released this past April.

Salmon fishing and related spending injected approximately $90 million into Idaho's economy in 2001. For some small towns these sales represented a major source of income. In Riggins, Idaho, direct and indirect sales of salmon-fishing related sales accounted for $10 million which was 23% of all sales for that town, roughly the same percentage that timber and the Potlatch Corp. (pulp and paper products) represents to the city of Lewiston, Idaho, a port city on the lower Snake River. The report indicated that the smaller the community, the larger the economic impact that a healthy salmon population could provide.

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) noted the significance of salmon within these rural communities: "I think this is a very credible report that shows the impact and the value of the salmon and steelhead fishery for Idaho. I think it should be viewed as relevant to the rural development concerns that we have around our state."

Virgil Moore, Idaho's Chief of Fisheries, described the salmon season as a pipeline of money from urban areas to rural economies.

 

[Delw]

Buzz and elkgunner

I know what your saying and understand it.

Now if someone said double or triple the NR moneys I would believe it but doubling all monies I cant believe.

Elkgunner yeah I know about the NR hitting the place during salmon and steelhead seasons, I used to be one of them in the late 70's. we would make the trip from selah washington a few times a year.


Delw

 

[JoseCuervo]

Del,

In Irony, I go to Alaska every other year for Salmon fishing. And dump a ton of $$$ up there, far more than I spend in Idaho on Trout, Crappie and trashfish like Smallmouth.

My dad goes up to AK twice each year for Salmon, again, taking Idaho $$$ out of Idaho.

I think Non-Res actually spend more "lodging and food" dollars than an Idaho person, certainly in the rural towns where the fish are. I haul all my groceries from Costco in Boise, where they will stop in the local stores/cafes...

 

[Delw]

Non res usually spend more, since they need a place to sleep .

I spend major bucks fishing here local in AZ and most of the resident fisherman do as well.

People still need to eat wether they are residents or not(so thats going to be equal), when we go fishing we usually stop and get something to eat if the lake is farther than 20 mins from my house, heck even then I hit every convience store on the way.
When I lived in washington we always stopped at the reastuant before and after fishing.

Gas is going to be equal

fishing equipment sales will pretty much stay the same both for res and NR

lodging and rental cars will definatly go up as well as airline tickets.


Delw

 

[Ithaca 37]

The NRs spend big bucks on outfitters and guides, too. The other big expenditure for salmon and steelhead fishermen is jet boats and everything that goes with them, including year round storage fees. Some guys catch their first steelhead and go right out and buy a $40,000 jetboat setup-----trailer and the works. One guy hooked on steelhead can easily spend more than 100 trout fishermen.

 

[Nemont]

What about the economic impact of dams like Ft. Peck that draw people from all over the country to fish and spend money here? Without it there wouldn't be the draw to the area becasue the walleye fishery would be non existent.

Sometimes you have to take the good with bad.

Nemont

[ 07-12-2004, 14:54: Message edited by: Nemont ]

 

[JoseCuervo]

The dams that need to be breached offer very little in slack water fishing, and next to nothing in recreation.

I have never heard of anybody using those waters for recreation, personally. And when you breach the dams, allegedley, there are some awesome rapids that may be uncovered, once again.

And the Wild and Scenic rivers in Idaho generate even more $ with people paying $1200-2000 per week to float down a wild river.

 

[IdahoCritterGetter]

" trashfish like Smallmouth "

I myself enjoy these smallies yall have introduced up here, twice as fun as larges and not bad eatn every now and then course I don't get the privilage of going to Alaska and etc... to fish every other year or I might change mind but as is I enjoy the smallies. A fish that could be considered trash fish is Carp they have little to no positive effect on waters up here but I see more up here from one side of state to the other than ever seen back home. Now if they would eat that would be diffrent.