Choosing Your Tackle

Catch and release fishing, zero catch limit or size limit regulations are mandatory in some States  water bodies. Without these regulations, the preservation of many fisheries could only be achieved through increased season closures. Sport fishing is so popular that demand often exceeds the capabilities of local waters to produce sufficient numbers of fish. Increasing numbers of anglers are fishing both accessible waters and remote areas. Continuation of high quality sport fishing depends upon more anglers choosing to practice of catch and release when fishing. By releasing fish, anglers allow a single fish to be "recycled" to provide recreation for others Sport Fisherman. If practiced by a majority of anglers, catch and release Program  fishing will result in greater numbers of larger and more fish.

More and more people who fish for sport are choosing to release their catch to ensure good fishing others sport fisherman, and for them self at another time, even where regulations do not require them to do so. This catch and release philosophy suggests that angling is valued as a high-quality recreational sport fishing experience, rather than just a way to secure food.

Simply letting the fish go after capture is not all there is to catch and release fishing.  Naturally, if the fish is released in such poor condition that is is likely to die anyway, the whole point is defeated.  Follow these simple guidelines and add common sense for best results!

How a fish is handled when the hook is removed can greatly affect its survival. If the fish is handled carefully and gently, it will have an excellent chance of survival. Barbless hooks make it easier to release fish back into its environment. Taking a few precautions when releasing your fish will allow it to live, spawn and be caught again.

Bait caught fish typically suffer a much higher hooking mortality than fish caught on lures. At least 1 out of 3 fish caught with bait will die after release. Over 60% of deep hooked fish die. Cutting the line on deep hooked fish and not trying to remove the hook increases fish survival significantly. The major cause of hooking mortality is the hooking injury itself. Most fish that are bleeding from being hooked will not survive. Keeping fish on stringers damages their gills and holding fish in live wells for long periods reduces fish survival.

Generally 9 out of 10 fish caught on lures will survive after release back into its environment. Studies have shown that there is only a 1 - 2% difference in the survival of fish caught on flies compared to those caught on lures.

When fishing deep water (deeper than 30 feet) most fish caught cannot be released with any assurance that they will survive. Bringing fish up quickly causes blood chemistry changes as well as an expansion of the air bladder to many times it's normal size, often causing it to protrude out of the fish's mouth. Please read "How to Deflate a Deep Water Caught Fish"

As fishermen we should strive for the conservation of the worlds stocks of fish. You can help do this when you harvest only those fish you will consume and release the rest of your catch unharmed. Using catch and release techniques to land your fish when practicing selective harvest also assures you that the fish will be in the best possible physical condition when you make the decision to harvest it for food Consumption or to release it back into its environment.

• Use strong line to bring your catch in as quickly as possible.
• Fish caught with lures or flies survive at a higher rate than fish caught with live bait.
• Use hooks appropriate to the size of the fish.
• Use barbless hooks or use pliers to pinch barbs down. Pinching down the barbs on your hooks will make the release even easier. Replacing treble hooks with single hooks also makes the release easier.

• Cradle large fish gently with both hands: one under its belly, one at the tail or for bass Grasping it by the bottom lip, (liping it).
• Keep your fingers out of and away from the gills and eyes.
• Use wet hands or wet cloth gloves to handle the fish.
• Never squeeze the fish.
• Fish can not remain healthy out of water for longer than you can hold your breath.

 Removing Your Hook

• Use long nose pliers to back the hook out.
• Remove the hook quickly, keeping the fish underwater when possible.
• When the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line to release the fish. If the fish is bleeding from the gills, it is likely to die and you should keep it as part of your bag limit.
• Use steel hooks that will rust out, avoid stainless steel hooks.

• Walleye: Length x Length x Length divided by 2,700
• Pike: Length x Length x Length divided by 3,500
• Sunfish: Length x Length x Length divided by1,200
• Bass: Length x Length x Girth (girth is the distance around the body) divided by1,200
• Trout: Length x Girth x Girth divided by 800
  For example: An 18-inch Walleye weighs approximately 2.16lbs. pounds [18" x 18" x 18"=5,832" divided by 2,700=2.16lbs].

• Keep your catch in the water as much as possible. If you want to take a photograph, support your fish in the water while the photographer prepares to take your picture. Get ready, then lift the fish out of the water, take the picture don't forget to smile and quickly return it to the water.
• Help revive the fish. If a released fish does not swim away, hold it in a normal swimming position by the tail end and gently move it back and forth in the water to move water over the gills and allow more oxygen to enter its blood. Most fish recover in a minute or so and readily swim away.
• Larger fish may take some time to revive.