A recent report from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries indicates that the great outdoors is great business for the state. In 2006, the most recent data available, outdoor activities generated $4.61 billion, supported 76,700 jobs and generated an estimated $446.2 million in state and local government tax revenues. Commercial fisheries produced retail sales of $1.8 billion while providing nearly 27,000 jobs, and recreational activities like hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife-watching generated approximately $2 billion in retail sales, while supporting over 37,000 jobs.
Read a PDF of the entire report, The Economic Benefits of Fisheries, Wildlife and Boating Resources in the State of Louisiana, 2006.