The Coastal States With the Highest Per-Capita Fish Catches

Fishing is one of America’s most popular pastimes, from families casting off their wooden docks to seasoned captains of offshore vessels. The Eastern American seaboard has a rich fishing culture that spans generations of hobbyist fishers and fuels coastal economies. Cities and communities have long relied on fishing hauls to support their way of life. Meanwhile, others enjoy fishing as a hobby, allowing them to enjoy the beautiful coastal waters, from the rocky New England shoreline to the warm and expansive Gulf of Mexico. Whether fishing is a weekend hobby, a personal passion, or a livelihood, East Coast residents and visitors have an enduring love for fishing that SI Yachts explores in a new chart.

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The comprehensive analysis determines how many fish per person were caught in each Eastern state. The results show Florida taking a healthy lead at the top of the list with the most fish caught per person. Since Florida has over 8,000 miles of coastline, more than any other state, it’s no surprise that residents and tourists take advantage of the abundance of fishing opportunities. The data shows that 2.4 billion fish were caught over five years, which averages 108 fish per person. Florida is truly the angler state! The warm waters have a diverse species population, like herring in the bays, groupers offshore, and spotted seatrout in the flats. NOAA Fisheries data shows Florida in the lead for recreation fishing trips and total catch numbers, showing this state’s pride and enthusiasm for fishing.

Rhode Island was in second place, an unexpected powerhouse with 77 fish caught per person for over five years. Even though Rhode Island is the smallest state, the rich fishing history and culture has influenced the 84.7 million fish caught among just 1.1 million residents. The Scup, a type of porgy, was Rhode Island’s most common catch, making up 28.2% of the total haul. Sometimes, fishing for a specific variety like Scup can draw visiting anglers to a location.

The team’s statistics show a lot of interesting information about which fish varieties are most caught in each state. We see South Carolina (49 fish per person) excel at catching Atlantic croakers, Mississippi (42 per person) favor spotted seatrout, and Delaware anglers (37 per person) specialize in catching black sea bass. This diversity of catches reflects a variety of ecosystems and climates found along America’s rich east coastline.

Each state’s fishing numbers show the unique ecological traits influencing the most popular catch in that location. Maine shows the heaviest lean toward a specific species. 61% of the fish caught there are Atlantic mackerel. Virginia anglers consistently bring in spot fish while New Jersey fishers go for summer flounder. Scup is a popular catch in many states, including Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. It has a mild flavor and sustainable schooling behavior that make it a favorite catch for seafood. Though overfishing is a persistent concern, responsible fishing can help local coastal communities thrive.