Recreational Fishing Data

NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program works with state and regional partners to implement a national network of recreational fishing surveys. We use data collected from anglers and for-hire operators to estimate the number of fish anglers catch and the number of trips they take. These recreational catch and effort estimates help scientists and managers assess and maintain sustainable fish stocks.

How We Collect Data

From in-person interviews to electronic reporting, different methods of data collection help us gather information from the recreational fishing community. The Marine Recreational Information Program does not administer private angler reporting apps or for-hire electronic logbooks. However, electronic reporting technologies do support the conduct of our Access Point Intercept Survey.

Learn how we collect data from the recreational fishing community

Our Network of Recreational Fishing Surveys

Unique regions have unique fisheries, fishing communities, and preferred methods of collecting recreational fishing data. For this reason, our recreational fishing surveys are regionally specific. While our partnership includes more than 25 data collection programs across the United States, program staff at NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Science and Technology administer four recreational fishing surveys in Hawaii and along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Our three general surveys—which include the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey, Fishing Effort Survey, and For-Hire Survey—provide annual catch estimates for all species encountered. Our specialized Large Pelagics Survey provides annual catch estimates for select fisheries during a select fishing season.

Learn about our recreational fishing surveys

NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program provides open access to the information needed to understand the recreational fishing data that inform science and management decisions and the way these data were produced.

Survey Statistics

The exact number and species of finfish caught by marine recreational anglers is impossible to determine, because one complete marine recreational fishing census is impossible to administer or verify. But we can be confident in our recreational catch estimates because they are derived from sound survey methods. These methods have been developed, tested, and reviewed by independent experts in survey design. Sampling populations, weighting sampled units, and accounting for errors, outliers, and uncertainty are important steps in our work to estimate recreational catch.

Learn the fundamentals of survey statistics

Estimation Methods

At its core, estimating total recreational catch involves multiplying catch rate (the average number of fish caught per angler trip) by effort (the total number of fishing trips taken). Each step of our estimation process also involves statistical weighting. This ensures important aspects of our sample design—like the fact that some fishing sites are more likely to be selected as a sample location or some anglers are more likely to participate in a fishing survey—are correctly reflected in our final estimates.

Learn the fundamentals of weighted estimation

Calibration

Stock assessors and fisheries managers base their work on continuous, uninterrupted time series of fisheries statistics. The transition to new or improved recreational fishing survey designs can disrupt this time series, producing new estimates that aren't directly comparable to legacy estimates. Calibration is a statistical process that accounts for the drivers of differences between two data sets. While there is no "one size fits all" calibration method, the purpose of calibration is always the same: to allow estimates from one survey design to be expressed in the units, or "currency," of another. This process maintains one consistent time series when survey methods change.

Learn how NOAA Fisheries has used calibration to transition to new survey designs

NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program provides open access to the data collected by its recreational fishing surveys and the calculated statistical values produced from this information.

Data Queries, Downloads, and Updates

There are several ways to access our recreational fishing data. You can use the query tool to filter recreational fisheries statistics by time series, geographic area, species, mode, and other characteristics. You can also download our public-use datasets and template programs to perform your own custom analyses. A complete list of updates to our data, estimates, and queries can be found on our Recreational Fishing Estimate Updates page. To be notified of these updates, subscribe to our email service.

Query the data

Download the data

Learn about data availability, data review, and data use considerations

Guidance for Data Users

An Introduction to MRIP Data provides an overview of our data products; collection, estimation, and publication schedules; review processes; and use considerations. MRIP Survey Design and Statistical Methods describes the technical details of our recreational fishing surveys, as well as the methods we use to produce catch and effort estimates. The MRIP Data User Handbook and accompanying MRIP Data User Seminar Series provide more detailed information about downloading, exporting, querying, and performing custom statistical analyses.

Our Data’s Role in Science and Management

Our recreational catch estimates are an important source of consistent catch information for monitoring and assessing U.S. fish stocks. Our estimates are combined with commercial catch data, biological research, and information gathered from direct observations of fisheries to help scientists assess stock size and sustainable harvest levels. Fisheries managers use this information to set regulations that promote the long-term health of fish populations.

Learn about fisheries management and MRIP

NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Recreational Information Program is committed to leveraging emerging science and statistical expertise to meet stock assessment and management needs.

Ongoing Research

Funding and conducting research to review and improve recreational fishing data collection allows us to keep pace with emerging science and information needs while producing the high-quality data that support science and management.

Learn about our research

Survey and Data Standards

To promote data quality, consistency, and comparability across our recreational fishing surveys, we've established a suite of survey and data standards. These standards reflect best practices currently in place at the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, and other federal agencies, as well as statistical survey guidelines published by the Office of Management and Budget. Ultimately, the standards will further ensure the integrity of our data collection efforts, the quality of our recreational fisheries statistics, and the strength of science-based management decisions. 

Learn about our survey and data standards

Survey Design Certification

Our process for reviewing the statistical rigor of a recreational fishing survey design is known as certification. To earn certification, survey designs and estimation methods must adhere to applicable standards and pass a peer review. For new surveys to inform the federal stock assessments and management decisions, survey sponsors must develop and execute a Transition Plan. These plans describe how historical estimates will be places into the "currency" of the new or improved design.

Learn about our certification and transition policies and procedures

Data Review

We follow best practices to minimize the potential for error in our estimates. Our quality assurance procedures prevent invalid data from entering our system. Our quality control procedures help us detect and correct errors that make it into our data. 

Learn about our data review process

Programmatic Reviews

We have participated in several independent programmatic reviews. In all cases, we have used the resulting recommendations to improve how we collect, analyze, and report recreational fishing data. In recent years, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have recognized our state-of-the-art sampling methods, critically important data, and impressive progress in improving the statistical rigor of our survey designs.

Learn about our programmatic reviews