Catch and release fishing is a conservation-minded practice aimed at minimizing harm to fish populations while still enjoying the sport. However, improper handling during catch and release can harm fish, reducing their survival rates after release. Here are some best practices to ensure that released fish have the best chance of surviving:
1. Use Proper Gear- Barbless Hooks: Use barbless hooks or pinch down the barbs on regular hooks. This makes it easier to release the fish and reduces damage to their mouth and gills.
- Appropriate Tackle: Use gear that matches the size of the fish you're targeting. This will allow you to land the fish quickly, reducing the stress of a prolonged fight.
- Circle Hooks for Bait Fishing: If using live bait, consider using circle hooks, which are designed to hook fish in the mouth rather than deeper in the throat or gut.
- Quick Landings: Try to bring the fish in as quickly as possible to reduce exhaustion. Prolonged fighting leads to lactic acid build-up, which can be lethal to fish, especially in warmer water.
- Avoid Heavy Fighting in Hot Weather: In warm water, oxygen levels are lower, and fish tire more quickly. When temperatures are high, consider reducing your fishing activity or using heavier tackle to shorten fight time.
- Wet Your Hands: Always wet your hands before touching the fish. This prevents you from removing the fish's protective slime coat, which protects against disease and infection.
- Support the Fish Properly: If lifting the fish out of the water, support it horizontally with one hand under the belly and the other near the tail. Avoid squeezing or holding the fish vertically by the lip or gills, which can cause internal damage.
- Avoid Contact with the Gills: The gills are particularly sensitive, and handling them can cause serious injury. Avoid putting your fingers in the gills or holding the fish by the gill covers.
- Minimize Air Exposure: Fish should remain in the water as much as possible. Avoid lifting them out of the water for extended periods. Ideally, if you must remove the fish, limit air exposure to less than 10-15 seconds.
- Use a Rubber or Knotless Net: If using a landing net, opt for a rubber or knotless mesh net, which is less abrasive to the fish's scales and slime coat compared to traditional nylon nets.
- Hold the Fish in Moving Water: If you're fishing in moving water (like a river or stream), face the fish upstream while gently holding it in the water, allowing oxygen-rich water to flow through its gills.
- Support the Fish: Hold the fish lightly but securely until it shows signs of strong swimming. Be patient and give it time to recover, especially if it seems exhausted after the fight.
- Do Not Move Fish Back and Forth: Avoid moving the fish back and forth to "push" water through its gills. Simply hold the fish steady, facing into the current, or in calm water, allowing it to regain its strength.
- High Water Temperatures: In hot weather, water temperatures can rise to levels where fish are more stressed and less likely to survive after being caught. Avoid fishing during the hottest parts of the day or during warm months when water temperatures are elevated.
- Cold Weather Considerations: In freezing conditions, handling fish with dry hands can cause their skin and eyes to freeze. Avoid exposing fish to cold air for long periods.
- Keep Release Tools Handy: Use tools like hemostats or needle-nose pliers to quickly remove the hook. Keeping tools within reach ensures that the release process is fast and smooth.
- Use a Dehooking Tool: If the fish is hooked deep, use a dehooking tool to remove the hook safely without causing additional injury to the fish.
- Deeply Hooked Fish: If a fish is hooked deeply in the throat or stomach, it's often better to cut the line as close to the hook as possible, rather than trying to remove the hook and risking more damage. Most hooks will eventually corrode or be expelled by the fish.
- Quick Photos: If you want to take a picture, have your camera ready before removing the fish from the water. Snap the photo quickly and return the fish to the water as soon as possible.
- Keep Fish Close to Water: When posing for a photo, hold the fish just above the water. This way, if it slips out of your hands, it will fall back into the water rather than onto a hard surface.
- Check for Signs of Stress: A fish that is belly-up or unable to swim away after release may still be too stressed to survive. Keep it in the water until it regains its strength and can swim away strongly.
- Tail Grab Method: You can gently grab the fish's tail and move it side to side in the water to see if it responds with strength. If it resists and tries to swim off, it's ready for release.
- Catch and Release Limits: Some fisheries have limits on how many fish you can catch and release in a day to reduce stress on fish populations. Make sure to follow these guidelines and release fish responsibly.
By following these best practices, you can help ensure that the fish you release have the best chance of survival, contributing to the conservation of healthy fish populations for future generations of anglers.