The great outdoors is great for Idaho's economy.

According to the Idaho Department of Labor, in 2025, recreation and outdoors were responsible for nearly 5,000 jobs in Idaho, with 1,671 of those at skiing facilities; 524 at RV parks and campgrounds; 302 at recreational and vacation camps; 182 at recreational good rentals; 156 at marinas and 1,833 at all other amusement and recreation industries.

"Idaho is a state with two economies: one urban and one rural. The rural economy is based on agriculture and other natural resource industries, while the urban economy is based on tourism, trade, and rapidly growing high-technology and service companies," the 2022 North Idaho Centennial Trail Economic Contribution Study said. "These two separate economies reflect Idaho’s past, present, and future. The two economies complement each other and also compete with each other for resources."

One report said fishing and boating activities in Idaho contributed nearly $200 million to the state's economy, while the outdoor recreation industry as a whole generated $3.4 billion in Idaho.

According to the Idaho Fish and Game's Fisheries Management Plan 2025 to 2030, while the true value of fish and fishing are difficult to estimate due to aesthetic and intrinsic components, "there is no doubt that fishing is a substantial driver of national, regional, and state economies." 

The plan said the travel, recreation, and tourism industry in Idaho generates an estimated $3.7 billion in direct spending and supports over 37,000 jobs, ranking it as the third largest industry in the state only behind agriculture and technology. 

Fishing is known to be a large contributor of this total; and as recently as 2018, Idaho anglers spent nearly $788 million on fishing-related expenses, which at the time generated nearly $1.2 billion in economic activity and supported 8,750 jobs (American Sportfishing Association 2020). 

Expenditures from recreational fishing are felt in many sectors of Idaho’s economy. Angler spending brings direct benefits to businesses such as large outdoor retailers, smaller independent tackle shops, marinas, boat dealers, and boat repair shops. Anglers also spend money frequently for lodging and travel costs with spending at convenience stores, campgrounds, motels, as well as by hiring the services of Outfitters and Guides. 

"While there is some overlap with previously cited estimates, fishing is known to support a substantial proportion of the nearly $593 million in four sales and $417 million in Gross State Product generated by Idaho’s Outfitters and Guides industry, the report said.

Then there is biking, running and walking, which brings us to the North Idaho Centennial Trail, which has an estimated $3 million economic impact.

According to the 2022 North Idaho Centennial Trail Economic Contribution Study, the trail creates $7.6 million in sales (output); $2.8 million in total compensation (wages and salaries), and 88 annual jobs. Its total fiscal impact are $118,394 in local (property tax) revenues and $256,889 in state tax contributions, totaling $375,283.

Idaho’s economic performance over the last decade has made it one of the fastest-growing states in the nation and this trend will likely continue into the next decade. The Centennial Trail will be a key contributor to that success.

"The Centennial Trail plays an important role in enhancing the quality of life in the local community and complementing the regional tourism industry, an important growth factor for the economy," the report said. 

Idahoatwork.com said Idaho is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with hunting and angling at the heart of a vibrant outdoor scene. 

"Historically, it’s been an intrinsic and generational part of the livelihood to many who live in the state," it said. "In fact, the Idaho Department of Labor has found fishing, hunting and trapping employment has been growing at an annual clip of 6.6% since 2012.

As of 2023, the share of the Idaho population that fished recreationally was 28.7%. For hunting, this share was 25.7% of the state, among the top 10 highest on record. This year, there are 486,674 paid hunting license holders in Idaho — fifth highest nationally. 

"This demonstrates both hunting and angling in Idaho are as popular now as they’ve ever been," Idahoatwork.com said.
"Based on the department’s occupational projection for 2022 through 2032, employment for fishing, hunting and trapping is projected to expand by 22.1% as one of the fastest growing occupational categories, by percentage, in Idaho. 

"Outdoor enthusiasts and industry workers alike have a stake in the industry and are dependent on one another for its success," the report said.