Catch and Release the Right Way

Why catch and release matters

Catch and release keeps fish populations healthy, especially for species that are heavily fished or slow to reproduce. When anglers release fish carefully, those fish grow larger and produce more offspring. It's a practice that ensures there's good fishing for the future.

Land the fish quickly

The longer a fish fights, the more exhausted it becomes, and exhausted fish are less likely to survive release. Use tackle heavy enough to land fish efficiently, and bring them in promptly. A quick fight is easier on the fish and gives it the best chance of recovery.

Minimize time out of water

Fish can't breathe air, so every second out of water matters. Have your tools ready, remove the hook quickly, and return the fish as fast as you can. Think of it like holding your own breath — the less time the fish spends air-born, the better.

Handle fish gently

Support the fish's body — don't hold a fish by the jaw or gills in a way that strains it. Cradle larger fish horizontally with one hand under the belly. Avoid squeezing, and keep your fingers out of the gills. Gentle handling protects the fish from injury.

Remove the hook carefully

Use needle-nose pliers or a hook remover to back the hook out gently. If the hook is deep, it's often better to cut the line and leave the hook — many fish survive with a hook that eventually rusts out — than to dig and cause damage. A quick, careful hook removal matters.

Use barbless or crimped hooks

Barbless hooks — or hooks with the barb crimped down — are much easier to remove and cause less damage. They're a simple change that dramatically improves release survival. Many anglers who release most of their fish use barbless hooks.

Revive the fish before release

Before letting a fish go, hold it gently in the water, facing the current if there is one, and move it slowly back and forth to push water over its gills. Release it when it starts to swim strongly on its own. This revival step greatly improves survival, especially for exhausted fish.

Use a rubber net

If you use a net, choose a rubber or soft-mesh net rather than a coarse nylon one. Rough nets scrape off the fish's protective slime and damage fins. A soft net is gentler on the fish and makes release more successful.

Photograph quickly

If you want a photo, have the camera ready before you land the fish, and keep the fish in the water until the last second. Lift it briefly, take the shot, and return it. A quick photo is fine; a long photo session is hard on the fish.

Know when to keep, when to release

Catch and release is a tool, not a rule — sometimes keeping a fish for the table is the right choice. The key is to release selectively: return fish that are undersized, over the limit, or spawning, and keep only what you'll eat within the regulations.

Responsible anglers balance keeping and releasing to protect the fishery. Whether you release or keep, do it thoughtfully.

Release fish in calm water

When you release a fish, do it in calm, quiet water where it can recover without being swept away. Hold it gently, let it regain its strength, and let it swim off on its own. A calm release gives the fish its best chance of survival.

Teach others to release properly

Good catch-and-release habits spread — share what you know with friends and kids, and the whole fishery benefits. Show them how to wet their hands, remove hooks gently, and revive fish. Responsible habits, passed along, keep the sport strong for the next generation.