QUICK TIPS FOR CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING

• The decision to keep a fish or release a fish must be made immediately or the fish will have less chance for survival. Studies have shown that if fish are handled and released correctly there is virtually no mortality. If fish are held for any length of time the mortality rate increases considerably.
• Proper handling techniques ensure fish survival and the sustainability of our fisheries resources.
• Time is essential. Do not play a fish too long if you plan to release it - it will be too exhausted to recover. Fish which do appear exhausted can be revived by gently holding the upright fish near the tail and slowly moving it back and forth through the water. This movement forces water over the gills and may assist the fish in a quick recovery. This "artificial respiration" should be continued until the fish is able to swim away under it's own power.
• In deep water, bring fish up slowly to prevent stress from changes in temperature and pressure.
• Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Don't let it flop around, even a little water under a thrashing fish protects it.
• Handle fish gently. Keep your hands wet. Don't put your fingers in the gills or eyes. Lift small fish by the lower lip and hold larger fish horizontally.
• Remove hooks quickly with long-nosed pliers. If a hook is deeply caught, cut the line and leave the hook in.
• Barbless hooks are an important factor in fish survival. Single hooks have also proven to lower mortality rates over multiple hooks.
• Artificial lures produce a lower mortality rate than does live bait.ve bait is often deeply swallowed, especially by smaller fish. Again, do not attempt to remove the hook as leaving it in is less harmful to the fish.
• Facilitate a faster flight, which will tire the fish less. In cases such as this, use of a net becomes a positive factor in fish survival.
• Never release a fish that has been held on a stringer. Fish which are to be kept should be placed in a cooler, keepsack or on ice. Culling fish is the same as killing fish.