American Sportfishing Association

What American Sportfishing Association does

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), founded in 1933 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a private, non-profit trade association representing nearly 800 organizations in the U.S. recreational fishing industry — including tackle manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, media outlets, and conservation groups. Its stated mission is to serve as the unified voice of the sportfishing industry before Congress, federal agencies, and the public, with operational leadership provided by President and CEO Glenn Hughes, Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Leonard, CFO Diane Carpenter, and regional fisheries policy directors covering Pacific, Southeast, Atlantic, and Inland geographies. ASA runs no proprietary technology products; its core outputs are advocacy, events, and member services rather than software.

ASA's business model rests on four revenue streams: recurring membership dues from approximately 800 member organizations, professional-services revenue from the flagship ICAST trade show (the world's largest sportfishing trade show, scheduled for July 14-17, 2026), advertising-style sponsorship revenue from the Sportfishing Summit and Premier Partnership program (Platinum, Champion, Ally, and Break Sponsor tiers), and licensing/administration of the Sportfish Restoration Excise Tax program which has channeled $12 billion+ into fishery restoration through the Dingell-Johnson Act over 75 years. Go-to-market is event-driven, anchored by ICAST and the Sportfishing Summit, and supplemented by the annual Keep America Fishing Fly-In in Washington, D.C.

ASA's program portfolio is organized around three pillars: advocacy (Keep America Fishing campaign, SportfishingPAC, The Sportfishing Advocate blog, Politics of Fish podcast, and Government Affairs Channel); conservation (the affiliated FishAmerica Foundation, R3 Grant Program distributing up to $2 million annually to reverse a 16.6 million angler decline recorded in 2024, and the Million Pound Challenge launched in 2026 with Fishbrain integration across 31 partner organizations); and industry events (ICAST, the Sportfishing Summit, and the Membership Program). ASA operates as the parent of the FishAmerica Foundation nonprofit and has no disclosed parent company, no venture or private-equity ownership, and no publicly disclosed annual revenue.

Name

American Sportfishing Association

Legal name

American Sportfishing Association

Website

https://asafishing.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA), founded in 1933 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a non-profit trade association representing nearly 800 organizations in the U.S. recreational fishing industry through advocacy, flagship events (ICAST, Sportfishing Summit), and conservation programs administered via its FishAmerica Foundation affiliate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association / Industry Advocacy

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Recreational fishing advocacy
• Sportfishing trade association
• Industry trade show
• Fisheries conservation programs
• Membership services

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ASA generates revenue from nearly 800 member organizations across the sportfishing industry, including manufacturers, retailers, media, and conservation organizations.
2. Trade Show Revenue (ICAST): ICAST is the world's largest sportfishing trade show, generating revenue through exhibitor booth fees, sponsorship packages, and event registration. The 2026 show is scheduled for July 14-17.
3. Event Sponsorships: Sportfishing Summit and other events generate sponsorship revenue through various partnership tiers from Platinum Partner to Break Sponsor levels.
4. Sportfish Restoration Excise Tax: ASA administers the Sportfish Restoration Excise Tax program, which funds fisheries conservation and restoration efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ASA is the trade association for the recreational sportfishing industry, representing approximately 800 member organizations including manufacturers, retailers, media, and conservation groups. The association delivers industry advocacy before Congress and federal agencies, hosts ICAST (the world's largest sportfishing trade show) and the Sportfishing Summit, administers conservation funding programs including the Sportfish Restoration Excise Tax and R3 Grants, and provides members with policy updates, networking, and educational resources.

Product overview

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) operates as a trade association serving the sportfishing industry, offering a portfolio of advocacy programs, industry events, conservation initiatives, and membership services rather than a unified software product. Key offerings include ICAST (the world's largest sportfishing trade show), the annual Sportfishing Summit, the FishAmerica Foundation for conservation grants, the Keep America Fishing advocacy campaign, and the Million Pound Challenge environmental initiative. The R3 Initiatives program addresses declining angler participation through recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts. ASA also provides a job board for industry careers, The Sportfishing Advocate blog for policy updates, and the Politics of Fish podcast. These programs work together to advance the interests of nearly 800 member organizations in the recreational fishing sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ICAST: The world's premier sportfishing trade show, hosted annually by ASA.
• Sportfishing Summit
• Keep America Fishing
• FishAmerica Foundation
• SportfishingPAC

Products and services

• ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) The world's largest sportfishing trade show held annually, providing a platform for industry leaders and emerging innovators to connect, showcase products, and conduct business in the sportfishing commerce sector.
• Sportfishing Summit ASA's premier annual gathering where industry leaders come together to celebrate shared passion, strengthen community, and chart the course for the future of sportfishing.
• ASA Membership Program Membership organization representing nearly 800 organizations in the sportfishing industry, providing member benefits including advocacy representation, networking, education resources, and discounted event participation.
• FishAmerica Foundation ASA's conservation arm that invests in fisheries conservation through partnerships and grant programs, including the R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) Grant Program providing up to $2 million annually.
• Keep America Fishing Advocacy Campaign ASA's advocacy initiative that handles political engagement so industry members can focus on growing their businesses, including action alerts, advocacy toolbox, and SportfishingPAC for political advocacy.
• Million Pound Challenge A nationwide initiative launched by ASA to remove 1 million pounds of trash from U.S. waterways during National Fishing and Boating Week, mobilizing sportfishing businesses, state agencies, and organizations to host cleanups.
• ASA Job Board A job board dedicated to sportfishing and marine careers, provided through a partnership with Fishing Tackle Retailer (FTR). Offers discounted listings for ASA members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dingell-Johnson Act generated over $12 billion for fishery restoration and boating infrastructure over 75 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FishAmerica FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026ASA's affiliated foundation dedicated to fisheries conservation. Together they launched the R3 Grant Program providing up to $2 million annually to grow fishing participation. Also co-hosts the Million Pound Challenge initiative.
• Theodore Roosevelt Conservation PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Coalesced with ASA to advance the MAPWaters Act (Modernizing Access to Public Waters Act), which passed both chambers and headed to President's desk in December 2025. The partnership focuses on digitizing water and fishing access information for America's 57.7 million anglers.
• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Partnered with ASA to support MAPWaters Act legislation for improving public waterway access information.
• Congressional Sportsmen's AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Co-sponsored advocacy for MAPWaters Act alongside ASA to advance recreational fishing access on federal waters.
• onXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Active supporter of MAPWaters Act legislation, bringing mapping and outdoor navigation expertise to the coalition.
• PRADCO OutdoorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVice President Bruce Stanton publicly supported the Million Pound Challenge, aligning with ASA's stewardship initiatives.
• Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined ASA to intervene in South Atlantic Red Snapper lawsuit defending recreational fishing access (May 2026).
• Fishing Tackle Retailer (FTR)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASA members receive discounted listings on FTR Jobs—the only job board dedicated to sportfishing and marine careers.
• Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRBFF's Stephanie Vatalaro received ASA's inaugural Inspire Award. RBFF oversees Take Me Fishing, Vamos A Pescar, and R3 campaigns.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as Platinum Sponsor and Ally Partner in ASA's Premier Partners program.
• Future Angler FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit membership organization dedicated to growing sport of fishing through education and outreach; Pat Neu of NPAA is a founding member.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coastal Conservation Association: CCA is a marine conservation and angler advocacy organization that partners with ASA on legislative efforts including the South Atlantic Red Snapper lawsuit intervention. Both organizations advocate for recreational fishing access and sensible fisheries management, making them directly comparable in mission and tactics.
• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: CSF works on state and federal policy to protect hunting, fishing, and trapping traditions. Its policy advocacy role in sportsmen's issues directly parallels ASA's federal government affairs work and was a co-sponsor on MAPWaters Act.
• Trout Unlimited: Trout Unlimited is a leading coldwater fisheries conservation organization that partnered with ASA on MAPWaters Act advocacy. Its membership-driven conservation model, federal advocacy focus, and recreational angler base make it a close functional peer to ASA's mission.
• National Marine Manufacturers Association: NMMA is the leading trade association for the recreational boating industry and a natural direct peer to ASA. Both are membership-based trade associations that run flagship trade shows, lobby on federal access and regulatory issues, and serve manufacturers and dealers in adjacent outdoor recreation segments.
• Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation: RBFF is the national nonprofit that runs the Take Me Fishing and Vamos A Pescar campaigns to grow boating and fishing participation. It is a direct functional peer to ASA's R3 initiatives and is already a coalition partner with ASA on participation-growth strategy.
• Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership: TRCP is a coalition of hunting, fishing, and conservation groups that coalesced with ASA to advance the MAPWaters Act. It is a direct peer in conservation-oriented sportsmen advocacy, sharing ASA's policy priorities around public access and habitat protection.
• International Game Fish Association: IGFA is the global authority on game fish records, angling ethics, and recreational fishing standards. It shares ASA's recreational angler focus and serves as a complementary institutional voice in the sportfishing community, particularly around fishing rules and records.
• Center for Sportfishing Policy: Center for Sportfishing Policy is a fisheries policy advocacy organization that worked alongside ASA on the Modern Fish Act and other legislative priorities. It is a direct functional peer focused specifically on saltwater fisheries policy reform.

Broad incumbents

• Ducks Unlimited: Ducks Unlimited is the largest waterfowl/hunting conservation organization in North America with significantly larger membership, fundraising infrastructure, and brand recognition than ASA. While focused on wetlands and waterfowl rather than recreational fishing, its membership association model, federal policy advocacy, and conservation funding mechanisms are directly comparable to ASA's structure.
• National Wildlife Federation: NWF is one of the largest U.S. conservation organizations with a much broader mandate across all wildlife and outdoor recreation. It overlaps with ASA on recreational fishing access and habitat protection but operates as a broader incumbent across many conservation issue areas rather than focusing on sportfishing industry representation.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/asafishing
• Facebookfacebook.com/ASAfishing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-sportfishing-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/keepamericafishing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Sportfishing Association