From families angling off wooden docks to seasoned captains hooking trophy fish miles off the shore, the Eastern U.S. has a long history of fishing. Cities and entire economies have relied on fishing boats hauling in fresh catches, and generations of Americans have taken advantage of the abundant waters stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the rocky coasts of New England. Whether fishing is a family weekend tradition, a personal passion, or a livelihood, East Coasters love to fish.
While the popularity of fishing remains high up and down the seaboard, not all states haul in the same quantities when you break it down by the number of people casting lines.
Curious as to who's making waves along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, the team at SI Yachts went to work to find out which states are reeling in the biggest number and what kind of fish they're chasing.
With over 8000 miles of coastline, it's no surprise that Florida sits at the top of the list as the state that catches the most fish. With 2.4 billion fish caught over five years and a population of just over 22 million, Florida averages 108 fish per person. Whether it's herring in the bays, grouper offshore, or spotted seatrout in the flats, Florida's warm waters are packed with life. According to NOAA Fisheries, Florida consistently leads in both recreational fishing trips and total catch numbers.
Rhode Island might not be the first state you think of when it comes to fishing, but the "Ocean State" holds its own. Considering its relatively small population, the state's rich fishing tradition has resulted in Rhode Island anglers landing about 77 fish per person over five years. Scup, a type of porgy, makes up nearly a third of their haul.
Other top contenders include South Carolina, Mississippi, and Delaware. South Carolina reels in plenty of Atlantic croakers, a common inshore catch. Mississippi's anglers favor spotted seatrout, while Delaware's fishers bring in large numbers of black sea bass.
Every state has its favorite catch, reflecting the various climates and ecosystems that can be found up and down the coast. Herring tops the charts in Florida, making up over 12% of the state's total catch, whereas Atlantic mackerel account for an astonishing 61% in Maine. Virginia anglers land plenty of spot, a small but abundant fish, while New Jersey fishers chase summer flounder.
One of the most prominent fish caught across multiple states is scup, a mild-flavored, abundant species popular in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Scup populations are currently thriving, and thanks to their schooling behavior and love of mild warm waters, they're a sustainable and easy choice for recreational anglers and commercial fishers along the Northern half of the coast.
Looking at the differences in fishing on the Atlantic Coast, various ecological, environmental, and cultural factors are at play.
Beyond these factors, each state's fishing regulations and conservation efforts impact which fish are most commonly caught. NOAA Fisheries and state-level wildlife agencies work with local communities to balance recreational fishing with long-term sustainability, ensuring that future generations enjoy these same coastal traditions. Though overfishing is a common topic among environmentalists, and for good reason, fishing can be an important part of managing marine life populations. It can help the environment, so many local agencies encourage local fishing, as long as it's done sustainably.
It's also important to note the impact of tourism. States like Florida and South Carolina attract millions of visitors each year, many of whom spend time fishing during their vacations. This steady stream of seasonal anglers helps boost the total catch, adding another layer to each state's fishing story.
Whether you're fishing in Florida, chasing scup in Rhode Island, or setting your sights on Atlantic mackerel in Maine, there's a boat calling your name.
If you're ready to find your next fishing boat or need a tune-up before your next cast, the team at SI Yachts is here to help. Reach out today to start your next chapter on the water.
| State | State Population | Total Fish Caught Over Five Years (2020-2024) | Number of Fish Caught per Person Over the Past Five Years | Most Common Type of Fish Caught | Percentage of Total Fish Caught in the State Over the Past Five Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLORIDA | 22,416,076 | 2,411,194,133 | 108 | HERRINGS | 12.6% |
| RHODE ISLAND | 1,101,802 | 84,755,474 | 77 | SCUP | 28.2% |
| SOUTH CAROLINA | 5,296,224 | 256,902,009 | 49 | ATLANTIC CROAKER | 20.9% |
| MISSISSIPPI | 2,946,780 | 124,358,308 | 42 | SPOTTED SEATROUT | 18.9% |
| DELAWARE | 1,021,191 | 38,006,082 | 37 | BLACK SEA BASS | 16.5% |
| NORTH CAROLINA | 10,730,396 | 398,809,788 | 37 | PINFISHES | 14.1% |
| NEW JERSEY | 9,343,811 | 312,169,754 | 33 | SUMMER FLOUNDER | 23.7% |
| ALABAMA | 5,086,769 | 160,648,549 | 32 | SALTWATER CATFISHES | 14.9% |
| MARYLAND | 6,206,012 | 173,662,044 | 28 | WHITE PERCH | 28.2% |
| VIRGINIA | 8,705,164 | 242,757,950 | 28 | SPOT | 30.2% |
| CONNECTICUT | 3,624,508 | 100,914,122 | 28 | SCUP | 27.2% |
| MAINE | 1,387,816 | 34,918,498 | 25 | ATLANTIC MACKEREL | 61.1% |
| MASSACHUSETTS | 7,044,056 | 139,475,571 | 20 | STRIPED BASS | 17.5% |
| NEW YORK | 19,852,362 | 349,642,499 | 18 | SCUP | 21.2% |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE | 1,394,868 | 17,916,056 | 13 | ATLANTIC MACKEREL | 40.4% |
| GEORGIA | 10,940,413 | 104,115,956 | 10 | KINGFISHES | 16.2% |
NOAA Fisheries. Recreational Fisheries Statistics Queries. U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved June 17, 2025, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/data-tools/recreational-fisheries-statistics-queries.