Trout Unlimited-funded study says trout fishing has had a $1.6 billion impact in the Driftless Region

A new economic impact study financed by Trout Unlimited concludes that "the total spending and economic impact of recreational angling in the Driftless area has increased from $1.1 billion in 2008 to $1.6 billion in 2016.

The survey results were disclosed Friday afternoon at a news conference at the Decorah Trout Hatchery, with a wide array of groups in attendance.

The survey discovered that the average trout fishing fan spends $475 per fishing trip.  The State of Iowa sold over 46,000 trout stamp permits in 2016--the highest total ever.

The word about good trout fishing in Iowa is getting out.  NE Iowa RC & D's Lora Friest says there's been "a great public-private partnership" in developing trout fishing.

The direct spending by visiting anglers and governmental and non-governmental agencies totals over $413 million in impact in the Driftless Area, while another $670 million in indirect spending occurs in the Driftless Area.

The study also found 89 percent of trout fishermen in the Driftless area are males, with 11 percent females.  Half of the anglers have college degrees and their median household income is between $80,000 to $100,000 per year.