Catch and release properly to help fish survival

[STWA]

Anglers can boost the odds of fish surviving catch and release with methods that avoid damage to fish. “Fish can be injured by hooks, stress and being pulled from deep water,” said Brad Parsons, central region fisheries manager with the Minnesota DNR. “We remind anglers to keep the fish’s survival in mind when planning to catch and release.” Fish hooked in the mouth almost always survive. Setting the hook quickly helps avoid hooking a fish in the stomach or gills. Jigs, circle hooks and active baits like crankbaits are more likely to hook a fish in the mouth. Barbless hooks or pinched barbs can help, but where a fish gets hooked is more important than the presence or absence of a barb.

Quickly landing a fish, minimizing its time out of water and handling the fish firmly but carefully all help it survive after release. By all means take photos, but it helps to have the camera ready and to have pliers that work well for taking hooks out. Cutting the line and leaving the hook in is also a good option. Deep water and also warm water temperatures increase the stress put on fish when caught and released. Anglers tend to do more fishing and catch more fish in warm weather, but these are also important times to take special care during catch and release. Here are a few more tips: 

• Wet your hands before touching a fish to prevent removal of their protective slime coating. Rubberized nets help, too. 
• Unhook and release the fish while it is still in the water, if possible, and support its weight with both hands or with a net when removed from the water. Never lift them vertically. 
• Hold a fish firmly but gently. Don’t drop it. 
• Do not place fish you plan to release on a stringer or in a live well. 
• Revive a fish by cradling it under the belly and gently moving it back and forth in the water until it swims away.

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