The 1985 resident and nonresident angling rates for 49 U.S. states were examined in relation to an array of 19 independent variables that reflected population, resource, and management budget characteristics of each state. Descriptive analyses characterized clusters of states that were above the national average in resident and nonresident angling rates, resident angling rates only, nonresident angling rates only, and those states that were below the national average in resident and nonresident angling rates. Regression analyses isolated those independent variables that may be the most significant explanations of high resident and nonresident angling rates combined, resident, and nonresident angling rates. High resident angling rates were found in those states with lower populations, abundant land and water resources, and healthy fisheries management budgets. High nonresident angling rates were found in those states with high populations. Regression analysis isolated the greater importance of population variables as explanations of angling rates when compared to resource and management budget variables. The effects of population trends, resource assessments, and the public's recreational choices on the future of fishing in the United States are discussed.