O'Brien Outdoors: Properly Releasing Fish Means Better Survival

Once the cameraman is ready, lift the fish for the photo. It is not always necessary to remove the fish completely from the water to obtain a pleasing photo.

Catch-and-release fishing has become more popular and a commonly accepted practice with sport fishermen. It is also incorporated into fishery management through specially regulated waters. Anglers release fish for a number of reasons: size restrictions, harvest regulations, creel limits, or when the fish are caught simply for sport.  For a catch-and-release fishery to work, high survival of released fish is essential.

Two main factors influence the survival of caught and released fish: physical injury and stress. Fish can be physiologically stressed by extreme exertion. Fish conserve energy by controlling their output. When they overexert, lactic acid builds up in their muscles. This is a slow internal poisoning that can kill a fish several hours after it swims away, seemingly in good shape. Injury occurs in many ways. Following certain procedures helps ensure your catch will be released unharmed.

The first step is to plan ahead. Know the fishing regulations concerning harvest of species, minimum sizes, and creel limits. Use tackle suited for the fish being pursued. This enables you to land fish as quickly as possible. An exhausted fish may be too weak to recover. This is especially important when the water temperature is above 70 degrees. Have the necessary tools available: net, forceps, or disgorger.

Barbless hooks are easier to remove, both from the fish and from humans. This is something you will quickly learn to appreciate when fishing with youngsters. Barbs can be pinched down using needlenose pliers or forceps. Spin fishermen should consider using wire cutters to snip off one hook on treble hooks. The remaining double hook will lose little efficiency, but be much less damaging to the fish. In addition, it will be easier to remove.

Keep the fish in the water whenever possible. Far too often, after an extended battle, anglers immediately remove them from the water. This is a critical time for the fish. Keep it in the water so it can continue to breathe.

Care should be taken not to remove the protective coating covering fish. If using a net, wet the netting before it comes in contact with the fish. Don’t handle the fish unless absolutely necessary, and, if you do, wet your hands first or use a wet rag or gloves. Hold the fish gently. Do not squeeze it or touch its gills or eyes.

Allowing a fish to flop around in the bottom of a boat or on the streamside rocks can cause it injury. Kneel or bend down to the fish when handling it. After landing a fish anglers frequently stand erect to unhook it. Time and again the fish slips from their grip and falls on the boat floor or the rocks below. A 10- to 12-inch fish dropped from 3 feet is similar to a 6’ tall human falling 20 feet. This can’t be good in either situation.

Calming a fish is important for hook removal. If the fish must be held, turn it upside down. This seems to temporarily sedate fish, and works extremely well on trout. Covering the fish’s eyes with a wet towel works wonders to pacify them. This is an especially helpful technique when handling larger species such as pike, muskie, stripers, or catfish.

Hook removal should be performed immediately and with care. Barbless hooks make this a much easier process with minimal handling of the fish. When a hook is deeply embedded or in a sensitive area such as the throat or gills, cut the line close to the snout. The fish’s chance of survival will increase dramatically. Regular steel (bronzed) hooks disintegrate rapidly. Avoid the use of stainless or gold-plated varieties whenever possible.

Fish are normally kept out of water far too long. A fish removed from water is suffocating and needs to be promptly returned. Experts tell us that 15 seconds is the maximum time a fish should remain out of water. As little as 30 seconds of air exposure can cause delayed mortality of released trout. If you want to get a picture of your catch, have the camera readily accessible. Keep the fish in the water until everything is set up. Once again, planning ahead expedites this process.

If the fish has been removed from the water, return it quickly and gently. Don’t simply toss an exhausted fish back into the water. With the fish in an upright position and facing into the current, slowly work it back and forth forcing water through the gills. Continue this procedure until the fish is able to swim away under its own power.

Catch-and-release has become an important part of recreational fishing. In many situations it improves the quality of future fishing. I’m sure you enjoyed catching your fish. So will the next angler if you do your part to make certain it is released safe and sound.

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