In "The Potential Economic Impact of Restored Salmon and Steelhead Fishing in Idaho" (2005) Don Reading reports that recreational fishing from a restored salmon and steelhead recreational fishery would have economic output impacts of $544 million annually in Idaho. The IEAB, in its "Economic Effects from Columbia River Basin Anadromous Salmonid Fish Production" (2005, document IEAB 2005-1) reports that recreational and commercial fishing for salmon and steelhead originating in the Columbia River Basin creates $140 million in total personal income throughout the western U.S. and Canada. This review explains why economic impact estimates presented in the two studies are so different. In addition, we provide some general recommendations for estimating and reporting economic impacts of recreation and sport fishing.
