8 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
•
2020 Annual Report
F I S H I N G P E R M I T S A L E S H I T
1 0 - Y E A R H I G H
As the pandemic unfolded, people turned to fishing as a way
to get outside and spend time with their families and friends.
Fishing allowed them to socially distance and find peace of mind
during these difficult times. Permit sales soared, resulting in a
10-year high and a boon of new and re-activated anglers. Permit
sale increases were seen across the majority of age groups and
permit types, and included an increase in the number of female
anglers. This increase in female anglers follows a national trend
where more women are spending quality time fishing with their
families and friends.
When people bought their permits also appeared to change
during the pandemic year. By July 1, permit sales were 16.7%
above the previous five-year average. One-day and annual
permit sales increases were highest, while multi-year permits
saw the largest percent increase above their previous five-year
average. Increases in permit sales were evenly split among
recruited and reactivated anglers, and we noted slight increases
in female and urban angler counts. A targeted campaign to keep
these anglers fishing will be an emphasis during 2021.
A family fishes from the newly constructed covered fishing pier at Grabel Ponds at Fort Robinson State Park.
JUSTIN
HAAG,
NEBRASKALAND
MAGAZINE
Game and
Parks and
outdoor
pursuits
have a $2.64
billion annual
economic
impact in
Nebraska.
