The recreational fishing market - France (2025)

1.2 A growing global market

Size of the global fishing tackle market World, ****-****, in $ billions Source: ****

The global fishing tackle market is growing rapidly, driven by the expansion of recreational and sporting activities worldwide. In ****, it is estimated at **.** billion USD, and should reach **.** billion USD by ****, according to Business Research Insights. This dynamic is closely linked to the development of recreational fishing, which represents one of the main drivers of demand for specialized equipment.

The fishing tackle market is segmented into several categories, directly correlated to the needs of recreational anglers:

Rods and reels: essential for all forms of recreational fishing, their development follows a trend towards greater lightness and technical sophistication. Lines, hooks and lures: in high demand among amateurs and competitors alike, with growing interest in eco-responsible solutions. Electronic accessories: fishfinders, fishfinders and GPS are increasingly used by sport fishermen and street fishing enthusiasts.

This equipment is at the heart of the leisure fishing economy, a market which, in France, represents annual sales of around * billion euros, driven by *.** million anglers.

Leisure fishing in France is fully integrated into these global trends. Technological developments and innovations on the world market have a direct influence on the consumption habits of French anglers. As ...

1.3 Sustained market growth

Recreational fishing is operated by some *** sites, which either offer a catch-and-release activity for a fee, or sell part of their production to owners of recreational ponds who wish to put fish in them. [***]

Recreational fishing continues to appeal to several hundred thousand people every year, thanks to aquatic areas rich in fish resources.

In ****, the size of the market is estimated at around * billion euros, including around *** million euros generated by activities directly linked to leisure fishing (***). [***]

Recreational fishing market France, ****, € million Source: ****

A stricter way of assessing the size of this market would be to calculate the direct impact, i.e. the number of anglers times the average amount spent per year on fishing tackle. With *,***,*** fishermen in **** and an average annual expenditure of *** euros in ****, this would represent a market of of *.** billion euros, well below the * billion euros generally claimed. This difference is explained by the inclusion of other expenditure items in the overall market estimate, such as fishing licenses, transport, accommodation, boat trips and ancillary services (***). Thus, the classic approach takes into account a wider economic ecosystem than just the sale of equipment, which justifies the discrepancy between direct calculation and market evaluation.

2.1 Profile and characteristics of recreational anglers (survey respondents)

In May ****, a study carried out by Union Sport & Cycle for the Groupement de l'Industrie Française d'Articles de Pêche (***) analyzed the profile of recreational sea anglers in France. Based on a sample of *,*** anglers over the age of **, the survey provides a detailed overview of the socio-demographic characteristics of sea-fishing enthusiasts. The aim is to better understand who these enthusiasts are, by examining their distribution by age, gender, socio-professional category and activity. This data will enable us to identify trends in demand and anticipate developments in the sector.

Breakdown by age, gender and socio-professional category:

Gender of French angler France, ****, in % Source: ****

The first striking finding of this survey is the over-representation of men among recreational anglers in France. Indeed, **% of recreational anglers are male, compared with just *% who are female. This figure underlines the historically masculine nature of this activity, although some initiatives are attempting to diversify the profile of recreational anglers.

How old is the recreational angler? France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

In terms of age, the majority of anglers are in the middle and older age brackets. The **-** age group is the most represented (***). Young people aged **-** account for just *% of anglers, while those ...

2.2 Fishermen's tastes

The study also analyzed anglers' preferences and habits at sea, including their target species, the length of their trips and their fishing companions.

Sea anglers' favorite fish France, ****, in Source: ****

The most sought-after fish is sea bass, preferred by **% of anglers. It is followed by mackerel (***). Other species, such as pollock, squid and tuna, have more moderate preference rates, between *% and *%. This ranking underlines French fishermen's attraction to coastal species prized for their combativeness and gustatory quality.

Sea outings:

How long do you go out to sea? France, ****, in Source: ****

When it comes to the duration of sea outings, the majority of anglers opt for relatively short sessions: **% go out for half a day, while **% stay for a full day. Only *% of anglers go out for several days, which illustrates that fishing is often part of one-off outings rather than extended expeditions.

Who do you go out with at sea? France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

Finally, leisure fishing is mostly a social activity: **% of those who fish do so with friends, while **% do so with family. Solitary fishing is less frequent (***), although a significant proportion of anglers appreciate this activity as a moment of relaxation and personal concentration.

These elements highlight ...

3.1 Market players and the importance of associative structures

The fishing market is structured by the presence of both private and public players, the latter trying to regulate fishing activities as much as possible to limit the negative impact on the environment.

In France, there are ** fishing resorts. There are *** of them, offering fishing workshops for beginners or advanced anglers, as well as *** fishing trails. In addition, there are *,*** accommodations for recreational fishing, and *,*** stores selling fishing tackle. [***]

Finally, there are some *,*** local fishing associations (***). Local fishing associations have an average of *** members and manage an average of ** km of riverbanks. They are responsible for fisheries management, surveillance, biodiversity management and works to be carried out. Fishing associations are federated on a departmental basis, mainly to provide associative representation, coordination or technical support. There are ** FDAAPPMA federations in France. [***]

The FDs have the human and financial skills needed to carry out environmental work (***).

Source: ****

AAPPMAs are generally more important than other private associations, whether for pleasure boating or sea fishing, since only *% of recreational anglers belong to these associations. [***]

Share of recreational anglers belonging to a boating or sea fishing association France, ****, % [France Agrimer Source: ****

At a more local level, however, these figures differ. If we take the example of ...

3.2 Distribution of anglers

The distribution of recreational anglers in France shows a high concentration in certain coastal regions, in particular Brittany (***), which stands out as the region with the highest number of anglers. This dominance is explained by a deeply rooted maritime culture and privileged access to fish-filled coasts.

Other coastal regions, such as Nouvelle-Aquitaine (***) complete the list of the most popular fishing areas, benefiting from a favorable climate and a diversity of marine species.

conversely, more isolated regions such as the Grand Est (***) have proportionately fewer recreational anglers, due to limited access to large bodies of water suitable for this activity.

Île-de-France (***), despite its large population, remains poorly represented, illustrating the difficulty of gaining easy access to suitable fishing spots in a dense urban environment.

Thus, the distribution of recreational anglers in France is largely influenced by proximity to coastlines and major freshwater basins, reflecting a strong correlation between the natural environment and the establishment of this activity.

3.3 Types of fishing

An analysis of the types of fishing practiced at sea allows us to observe the different habits of recreational anglers, in terms of frequency, techniques used, and approach to catch conservation.

Regularity and types of outings:

How often have you gone sea fishing in the last ** months? France, ****, in Source: ****

The results show a fairly even distribution in terms of frequency of outings:

**% of anglers go out more than ** times a year, indicating a very regular activity, often linked to a passion or an established habit. **% fish between ** and ** times a year, which represents a moderate but constant frequency. **% fish between * and ** times a year, a more occasional frequency. Finally, only *% of respondents say they fish less than * times a year, indicating that the majority of anglers fish on a recurring basis.

This distribution shows that sea fishing is an activity followed by a community of enthusiasts, with the majority active throughout the year.

What types of sea fishing have you done, even if only occasionally or during your vacations, in the last ** months? France, ****, % of total Source: ****

The most popular fishing methods are those offering a technical and sporting approach:

On-board lure fishing dominates, with **% of respondents practicing it. ...

3.4 Types of fish caught and preserved

Analysis of the practices of recreational sea anglers reveals significant discrepancies between the number of fish caught and those actually kept. On average, an angler catches around * fish per outing, but only * are kept. This discrepancy reflects a marked trend towards "no-kill" fishing, where fish are released after capture, whether for ethical reasons, to comply with quotas, or to select fish according to size and species.

Number of fish caught and kept per trip France, ****, in Source: ****

Bass/wolffish largely dominate catches, with **% of anglers claiming to catch them regularly. It is followed by mackerel (***), which are among the most targeted species. Other top fish caught include pollack, gilthead bream and squid, each accounting for *% of catches. Finally, cuttlefish, although less frequent, is caught by *% of anglers.

Most frequently caught fish France, ****, in Source: ****

Consumption preferences differ slightly for the most frequently caught species. Bass/wolffish remain the most popular fish eaten(***). This ranking shows a correlation between the fish most caught and those actually consumed, although some fish are released more frequently, depending on fishermen's practices.

Most frequently consumed fish France ****, in % Source: ****

These results highlight several notable trends:

The rise of no-kill: The majority of anglers release a significant ...

4.1 Offer typology

The leisure fishing market in France is structured around a set of interconnected players, each contributing to the practice and growth of this activity. The offer is structured around several segments: equipment manufacturers and distributors, service providers (***), infrastructures and associations, and regulatory players.

*. Fishing tackle manufacturers and distributors

Equipment is a major item of expenditure for recreational anglers, with an average of €*** per year per angler. This segment is dominated by specialized international and national brands:

Leading brands: Shimano, Daiwa, Rapala, Mitchell, Ultimate Fishing Specialized distributors: Pacific Pêche, Pecheur.com, Decathlon Products offered: rods and reels, lures, hooks, electronic depth finders, tackle, special clothing

The move upmarket is reflected in the growth of on-board electronics (***) and a growing demand for more technical and durable equipment. [***]

*. Boat and nautical equipment dealers

Sea fishing often involves the use of boats, representing a significant market:

**% of fishermen own a boat, and **% have a boating license Some ***,*** motorboats are registered in France, some of which are used for fishing Major players include Quicksilver, Jeanneau, Bénéteau and specialized distributors

Buying and maintaining boats also requires spending on equipment: fittings, engines, trailers and electronics.

*. Infrastructure managers and associations

Access to ...

4.2 Prices vary widely by product

Equipment can be relatively expensive, depending on the brand and complexity of the product. A sport fishing rod is often more expensive than a normal fishing rod, for example. On the whole, consumables are regularly sold in packages at prices under €**. Prices at the end of February ****:

[***]

Source: ****

Spending on recreational sea fishing varies widely according to the equipment and materials used. The amounts invested annually reflect not only the level of commitment of anglers, but also the diversity of practices and needs specific to each type of fishing.

How much do you spend per year (***)? France, ****, in € Source: ****

On average, anglers spend €*** a year on tackle. The main categories of expenditure are as follows:

Gear for fishing with gear or on foot: €*** Sea fishing clothing: €*** Boat equipment (***): €***

These figures show that equipment related to navigation and comfort at sea represents a significant proportion of the overall budget.

Angling equipment:

Distribution of spending on angling equipment France, ****, in Source: ****

The majority of anglers invest significant sums in their equipment:

**% spend €*** or more **% spend around €*** **% invest around €***

This data underlines a strong trend towards top-of-the-range angling equipment, where the quality of equipment plays an essential role in performance.

Gear for ...

4.3 Fishing boats

Boat ownership:

Among sea anglers, **% have a boat license, while **% do not. This indicates that the majority of anglers have the necessary qualifications to navigate legally, although almost a third fish without this document.

Do you have a boating license? France, ****, in Source: ****

Just over half of all anglers (***) own their own boat, compared to **% who do not. This means that most sea fishing is done with one's own equipment, but that a significant proportion of anglers rent boats or take part in outings on boats belonging to others.

Do you own a boat? France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

Among boat owners, **% keep their boats moored in a harbor, guaranteeing quick access to the sea. **% opt for trailer launching, a more flexible solution but requiring additional transport and logistics. Finally, *% of boats are stored in other ways, probably in garages or specialized storage areas.

Where is your boat? France ****, in Source: ****

To estimate the number of boats used specifically for leisure fishing, we can take the total number of sea anglers, i.e. *.** million, and apply the proportion of **% who declare they own a boat. This gives us around ***,*** boats dedicated to fishing.

By comparison, the total number of pleasure boats ...

4.4 The new street-fishing trend

Recreational fishing in France is undergoing a major transformation, driven by a growing awareness among anglers of the need to preserve fish stocks. This is reflected in the rise of no-kill, a practice whereby fish are caught and immediately released back into their natural environment.

The practice of no-kill:

No-kill fishing France, ****, as % of total Source: ****

According to recent data, **% of anglers say they practice catch & release. This figure reflects a profound change in mentality, where the aim is no longer simply to catch fish for consumption, but to enjoy the act of fishing itself. Of these, **% use this method only on certain species, while **% use it systematically.

Do you practice no-kill/catch & release? France, ****, in Source: ****

The evolution of this trend is visible in the field, particularly in Besançon, where a portion of the Doubs has been classified as a no-kill course since January ****. Jean-François Desgranges, secretary of theAmicale des pêcheurs de Besançon, explains this initiative by a dual objective: to preserve endangered species and to encourage the development of larger specimens. This type of regulation is becoming more widespread, and reinforces anglers' commitment to more sustainable fishing.

The evolution of fishing techniques is also part ...

5.1 Recreational sea fishing

Recreational sea fishing is subject to certain rules concerning the number of catches, the gear that can be used, and so on. A distinction must be made between sport fishing (***) and recreational fishing. [***]

Fishing products are intended solely for the consumption of the fisherman and his family, and cannot be sold. It is also possible to release fish directly back into the sea after capture (***).

You can fish on foot in the public maritime domain, or on the banks of rivers and canals where the water is salty. Fishing must respect the natural environment, and certain minimum sizes must be respected when catching different species (***). [***]

To fish from a boat, owners must have the necessary documents (***). [***]

Lastly, for underwater fishing, it is compulsory for anglers to have third-party liability insurance. In addition, only those over ** years of age may fish with a harpoon.

A number of practices are prohibited, such as

Use of breathing apparatus while diving Fishing between sunset and sunrise Fishing less than *** m from marked fishing nets or vessels

5.2 Freshwater fishing

Freshwater fishing concerns open waters, i.e. rivers, streams, canals, lakes and ponds. To fish in freshwater, anglers must hold a fishing licence valid for the area in which they are fishing. The card is not obligatory on the*st Sundayof June (***). [***]

Several cards are available, depending on age, sex and frequency of use, and generally cost less than €**.

The fishing card entitles the holder to fish in the following open waters:

Private watercourses and bodies of water, if the holder of the fishing right authorizes you to do so Fishing lots belonging to your local fishing association Fishing lots managed by a fishing association with which yours has a reciprocal agreement. Anywhere in France, in public waters, with a single line

All fishing is prohibited in the following areas:

Nature reserves and temporary fishing reserves Devices to ensure fish circulation in structures built on river beds Pertuis, water passage inside buildings from dams and locks For a distance of ** meters downstream from the end of dams and locks, except for fishing with a line

Fishing in a prohibited area is punishable by a fine of up to €***, fishing without a fishing licence is punishable by a fine of up to ...

5.3 Recent regulations

At the start of ****, the regulations governing recreational fishing in France are changing, with the publication of two decrees in the Journal Officiel of December **, ****. These new rules aim to preserve fish stocks while guaranteeing sustainable fishing practices.

*. Tightened restrictions on pollack (***)

In ICES zones * (***), several strict measures have been introduced:

Reduced daily quota: Each angler may only catch two specimens per day. Fishing ban during spawning season: From January * to April **, ****, all fishing for pollack is prohibited. This ban, in force since ****, has been renewed to protect spawning stocks. No-kill fishing: From now on, it is forbidden to catch this species, even to release it. This means that no attempt at targeted fishing may be made, and that an accidentally caught specimen may not be kept alive in a tank.

These new rules replace those of March ****, marking a tightening of regulations to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks.

*. Increase in minimum catch sizes

The December **** decree modifies minimum catch sizes to encourage reproduction before harvesting:

Pollack: Standardization of the minimum size at ** cm in ICES zones * and *. This harmonization aims to ensure that only mature individuals can be caught. Lobster (***), thus eliminating the regional differences that previously ...

6.1 Player segmentation

6.2 The analyst's eye

Context:

Recreational sea fishing is deeply rooted in French coastal culture. It involves a large community of enthusiasts, with *.** million anglers in France, the majority of whom fish by boat (***). This activity is based as much on a recreational pastime as on an attachment to maritime traditions, particularly in Brittany and New Aquitaine, where the highest rates of participation are found.

In recent years, recreational fishing has undergone significant change. The rise of no-kill fishing, with only * out of every * fish caught per trip, reflects growing ecological awareness and adaptation to increasingly stringent regulations. At the same time, the ageing of fishing enthusiasts (***) raises questions about how to pass on this passion to new generations.

Finally, equipment is a key issue: anglers devote a substantial budget to their equipment, spending an average of €*** per year. While this sum testifies to the commitment of anglers, it also represents a potential brake on new entrants, calling for more accessible solutions to boost the market.

Major trends:

*st trend: A predominantly male and ageing practice: Recreational fishing in France remains a largely male-dominated activity, with **% of all anglers male in ****. The average age of anglers is also high, with an over-representation of **-** ...

• Rapala VMC
• Fonderie Lemer
• Daiwa France
• Fédération de pêche et de protection du milieu aquatique du Finistère
• Pescalis
• Pacific Pêche
• Ducatillon
• Aigle
• Viellard Migeon groupe- Rapala Lisi
• Ultimate Fishing
• Inédis