The Economic Impact of Angling on the Lake Winnebago System

In early 2006, a survey was sent to 2,000 licensed anglers. The survey asked questions about anglers’ fishing behavior, preferences, trip patterns, spending patterns, and demographic information. Expenditure information was input into a regional economic impact model called IMPLAN. An “economic region” was defined as the counties of Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Outagamie, and Waushara.
IMPLAN results indicate that angling contributes $155.5 million of direct spending annually to the economic region. Almost 3,500 jobs are attributed to this direct spending. An additional indirect and induced impact of $78.5 million and 800 jobs is also felt in the region, resulting in a total economic impact of $234 million and 4,300 jobs.  These impacts are for anglers that reside outside the five county economic region spending their money inside the region.  Anglers that reside inside the economic region spend an additional $72 million each year on angling.

Study Summary (pdf 397 kb)

Angler Survey (pdf 546 kb)

Map of Economic Region {Link to map of 5-county region}

Questions about this study can be directed to:

Chad Cook
UWEX Basin Educator for Natural Resources
(920) 232-1990
chad.cook@ces.uwex.edu

Catherine Neiswender
Winnebago County UWEX Community Development Educator
(920) 232-1978
catherine.neiswender@ces.uwex.edu

Kendall Kamke
DNR Fisheries Biologist
(920) 424-7880
kendall.kamke@wisconsin.gov