When I was first exposed to recreational fish management it was measured by total economic impact to the state. Fishing and hunting, at least in WA, are considered recreational (not subsistence) pursuits. The "ideal" opening is massive participation with minimal harvest.

As an extreme example, if you limited deer hunters to guns holding two rounds and iron sights you could probably extend the modern firearm season to months. More opportunity.

One other thing I was told early on was that, for WDG, hunting licenses were the prime income source in that hunters would pay "more" to hunt and most of the game was wild. For fish, you had to grow and plant them. Also, Opening Day was so big (and one-day licenses not allowed) in the hope that families would fish one or two days a year. Again, good cost-recovery.

Much as I gripe about "opportunity", if one has boat(s) WA offers some really good fishing. Ocean salmon, rockfish, albacore, halibut. The major river fisheries are now boat-based. Walleye, Tiger Musky, OD lakes, kokanee. All highly productive and put a lot into the economy.