Anglers spent $2.4 billion in Minn.

Anglers who enjoy Minnesota's sky blue waters are still a powerful engine for the state's economy, according to new data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Direct spending by resident and nonresident anglers in Minnesota totaled $2.4 billion in 2011, the latest year for which information is available. That amount includes $1.4 billion on equipment and $925 million on trip-related spending.

Spending by anglers also supports about 35,000 Minnesota jobs, according to the report.

However, the federal survey also found that angler spending declined by $315 million since the last survey, in 2006. The average amount spent per individual angler dropped by about $300.

The Department of Natural Resources notes that only three states recorded higher spending on sport fishing than Minnesota: Florida, New York and Michigan.

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