Tips on Catch & Release

Improved fishing technology and increasing fishing pressure have
caused fishing quality to decline in many waters. Catch-and-release
fishing offers anglers a way to enjoy their sport with less harm to
the resource. Each year, more anglers discover the satisfaction of
watching a fish they’ve caught swim away. Here are some tips for
proper catch-and-release:


1. Don’t place fish you plan to release on a stringer or in a livewell,
because they have less chance of surviving.
Make the decision to release a fish when you catch it.

2. Play and land the fish quickly. A prolonged struggle places too
much stress on a fish and causes a build-up of harmful lactic acids,
which can kill the fish after it is released.

3. Handle the fish gently and keep it in the water as much as possible.
If possible, unhook the fish without lifting it from the water.
Don’t drop the fish in the boat. Fish bruise easily, and the damage
to their internal organs can be fatal.

4. When lifting fish for a photograph or just to admire it, don’t
hold it by the eye sockets or gills. You can damage the internal
organs of fish, especially larger ones, by lifting them from the water.
Use both hands to evenly support the fish’s weight.

5. Use a pliers to remove hooks.
If a hook is deeply imbedded, cut the line. Fish have strong digestive
acids which will dissolve metal. Studies have shown that fish released
in this manner have a higher survival rate than do fish that have had
hooks torn from their throat or stomach.
A fish that can be legally kept should not be released if it is
bleeding heavily, which indicates its chance of survival is poor.

6. You should not intentionally fish for any species during its closed
season.

7. Fish can be revived by holding them upright in the water and moving
them forward slowly to force water through the gills. Don’t release a
tired fish until you are sure it can swim away on its own.
In streams, release fish into calm water. A tired fish placed in fast
water can die by tumbling downstream into rocks.
Gently slide the fish back into the water.

8. Weigh Your Fish with a Ruler
Fish can be injured when weighed with portable scales. To estimate
the weight with a length measurement (in inches), use the following
formulas:

Walleye: Length x Length x Length divided by 2,700
For example: An 18-inch walleye weighs approximately 2.16 pounds [5,832 (18 x 18 x 18) divided by 2,700=2.16].
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

Below is an Approximate Length and Weight Chart for Largemouth Bass.