Recreational Fishing Data and Statistics Queries
The Marine Recreational Information Program’s query tool is a searchable database of catch, effort, and fishing participation statistics.
The Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) maintains a searchable database of catch, effort, and fishing participation statistics. This query tool allows users to filter data by time series, geographic area, species, mode, and other characteristics. Query results can be viewed in table or graph form, or downloaded as a CSV file.
Recreational fishing data and statistics are also available on our Recreational Fishing Data Downloads page.
Run a Data Query
To run a query of our catch, effort, or fishing participation statistics, open our query tool.
To learn how to run a query, export your results to a graph or spreadsheet, or find data for less common species of fish, watch our video tutorial.
Before you run a query, you may find it helpful to review these background materials:
Types of Queries
Use the information below to determine which query will meet your data needs. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, submit a custom data request. (Custom requests can take four to six weeks to complete.)
Catch Data
| Type of Query | Description |
|---|---|
| Snapshot | A summary of count and weight estimates for all species caught. |
| Time Series | Detailed count and weight estimates for individual species over time. |
| MRFSS/MRIP Comparison | A comparison of original, unweighted Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey catch estimates and weighted MRIP catch estimates for Atlantic and Gulf coast states from 2004 through 2011. |
| Length Frequencies |
Length distributions for select species by inch or centimeter group. |
| LPS Time Series | Detailed count estimates for individual species over time, as determined through the Large Pelagics Survey. |
| LPS Length Frequencies | Length distributions for species covered in the Large Pelagics Survey. |
| HMS Catch Card | Billfish, swordfish, and bluefin tuna count estimates and length distributions reported in Maryland and North Carolina. |
Effort Data
| Type of Query | Description |
|---|---|
| Time Series | Detailed angler trip estimates over time. |
| Directed Trip | Effort estimates for trips that targeted or caught a specific species. |
| Calibration Comparison | A comparison of estimates available before the 2017 application of two calibrations to support the modified Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS) and new Fishing Effort Survey (FES), or BASE series; estimates resulting from the application of a calibration to data collected before the 2013 APAIS design change, or ACAL series; and estimates resulting from the full application of both calibrations to data collected between 1981 and 2017, or FCAL series. |
| MRFSS/MRIP Comparison | A comparison of original, unweighted Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey effort estimates and weighted MRIP effort estimates for Atlantic and Gulf coast states from 2004 through 2011. |
| LPS Time Series | Detailed trip estimates of boats targeting species covered in the Large Pelagics Survey. |
Participation Data
| Type of Query | Description |
|---|---|
| Time Series | Estimates of angler participation over time. |
National Summary Data
| Type of Query | Description |
|---|---|
| National Summary | Summaries of catch, effort, and participation data from all coastal states. |
Data Download
| Type of Query | Description |
|---|---|
| Data Download | Custom downloads of catch, effort, and participation data as .SAS or .CSV files. |
Common Terms
For more information about the terms above, visit our Recreational Fishing Data Glossary.
