TITLE:
Contribution of Hatchery-Reared Muskellunge to the South Dakota Economy in 2025
AUTHORS:
Riley C. Bushnell, Michael E. Barnes
KEYWORDS:
Fish Hatchery, Muskellunge, Economic Contribution, Recreational Angling
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Economy,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) are a large native North American freshwater fish popular with recreational anglers. In the USA state of South Dakota, because natural reproduction does not occur, muskellunge fisheries are maintained entirely by hatchery production. This study estimated the total economic contribution of muskellunge rearing and stocking to the South Dakota economy in 2025 by aggregating the direct, indirect, and induced effects from both hatchery operational expenditures and recreational angler spending by the estimated 1,300 South Dakota anglers that target muskellunge. The total contribution of muskellunge angler to the South Dakota economy was estimated to be $6,214,055 (95% CI = $2,562,290 to $9,865,819). Based on $10,000 in 2025 hatchery rearing expenditures to produce juvenile muskellunge for stocking into public fish waters, every $1 spent on muskellunge rearing contributed $621 to the South Dakota economy (95% CI = $256 to $987). Because the muskellunge caught in 2025 originated from earlier stockings, the $621 contribution per hatchery dollar spent is best understood as the gross economic-contribution-to-current-expenditure ratio. These results indicate that the relatively small number of muskellunge anglers and the relatively small amount of hatchery resources dedicated to muskellunge rearing have a relatively large impact on the economy of South Dakota.