Outdoors
Catch and release fishing tips
Releasing the fish you catch can help sustain and build the population of wild fish. Here are a few tips for ensuring fish have the best chance of survival:
• Use barbless hooks or flatten the barb on the hook before using a fly for the first time. This makes the hook much easier to remove and lessens the potential injury to the fish’s mouth.
• Use either needle-nose pliers or forceps to gently remove the hook from the fish’s mouth.
• If the fish has swallowed the hook, or if the hook is set too deeply, cut the line and release the fish. The hook will dissolve over time without harm to the fish.
• If the hook is in the gills, the throat or an artery, the fish’s chances of survival are greatly reduced. If it’s legal, keep the fish. Also, if a fish is bleeding, keep it if it’s legal to do so.
• Minimize the amount of time the fish is out of the water.
• Once the hook is removed or the line is cut, gently hold the fish in the water, pointing upstream, until it can swim away on its own.
Read 36 comments about “Catch and release fishing tips”
June 4th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Fishing is great I love to fish rivers lakes ect. sometimes its easy to get the hook out with your hand but sometimes if its hard don’t hesitate use a tool
May 29th, 2008 at 9:06 am
wearing gloves can still remove the slime. so that you dont remove the slime you need wet hands. if you are affrade to touch them then wear gloves that have been soaked in water.
May 28th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
why put the fish back keep it and eat it
May 28th, 2008 at 10:23 am
i like fishing i cought one two days ago
May 27th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I like fishing
May 27th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
When you catch a fish always be gentle, and don’t hook yourself!
May 16th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Use gloves so u do not remove the slime , it is the fishes way of protecting its self from harmful parasites . If u don’t have gloves get your hands wet before handling fish please.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
another good way to get hold of a fish:
use a washcloth/ something like it to grip it
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Fishing is FUN!
April 28th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
if u’re in a lake, gently pull the fish back n forth till it swims away. and don’t toss it in the water; put it in the water gently.