Water Recreation
Water-related recreation is fun, but it’s also BIG BUSINESS in Texas!
With 1.26 million surface acres of freshwater in lakes, 2.1 million surface acres in saltwater bays and some 80,000 miles of rivers and streams, it is easy to understand why Texas is a popular destination for anglers, boaters, paddlers, tubers and swimmers. Millions of dollars in retail sales are spent each year on water-related outdoor recreation in the Lone Star State. Outdoor industries including hunting, bird watching and nature studies also are dependent on water and wetlands for a large chunk of their activities. The overall economic output or impact of such activities is measured in billions of dollars.
According to the report, “Sportfishing in America: Values of Our Traditional Pastime” (American Sportfishing Association -2001 Data), there are 2.3 million anglers who live in Texas. Fishing annually generates $2.18 million in retail sales and supports over 41,000 jobs. Whether it is fishing for large mouth bass, catfish, white bass or sunfish in freshwaters; redfish and spotted sea trout in saltwater bays or red snapper and king mackerel near offshore rigs, fishing attracts people from around the world to “get hooked” on Texas.
Texas waterways also attract boaters! There are over 600,000 registered motorboats and personal watercraft on Texas waterways and over a million kayakers, canoeists, rafting enthusiasts, sailboarders and sailors. Marinas and boat ramps are abuzz with pleasure cruisers and anglers, especially in the spring and summer months. The coastal waterways see both recreation and commercial traffic year round. The main river systems, especially in Central Texas, are popular destinations for relaxing floats down spring-fed rivers laced with bald cypress and oaks. Over 2.3 million swimmers enjoy the cool and warm waters of Texas for over half of the year.
Water recreation is highly dependent on a constant source of water flow - from the fresh waters in higher elevations and underground aquifers to the coastal seawaters. Without sufficient water, millions of outdoor recreation dollars are lost to the state’s economy and thousands of jobs are lost. Even during times of flood or drought, water-related recreation is severely impacted.
It is for these reasons that aquatic conservation efforts — fisheries, habitat and resource management, aquatic and boater education, and effective fish and wildlife law enforcement efforts -- are so important. Equally important is the role of anglers and boaters in conservation.
Most of the TPWD’s conservation, education and management efforts are funded by anglers and boaters! Through federal taxes collected on sporting goods and boat motor fuel, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides funding for conservation and management in Texas.
Conservation strategies and federal funding provided by anglers and boaters ensure that present and future generations have healthy, abundant waterways to be able to recreate safely and responsibly on Texas waters.
