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 assures fish survival and the sustainability of the
fishery.
Do not
play a fish too long if you plan to release it - stressed out fish often do not
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 will assist the fish to
recover. This technique should be continued until the fish is able to swim away
under its own power.
In
deep water, if possible, bring the fish up slowly to prevent stress from changes
in water 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. More times then not, the hook
can be removed while leaving the fish in the water along side the boat.
Handle
fish gently - keep your hands wet. Remove hooks quickly with long-nosed pliers.
If a hook is deeply set, cut the line and leave the hook in place.
Never
put your fingers in the gills or eyes. This is an ancient method that is assured
to damage and in most cases kill the fish.
Always
hold a fish horizontally. Holding vertically places stress on the vertebrae and
will hurt or kill the fish.
Barbless hooks are an important factor in fish survival. Single hooks have also
proven to lower mortality rates over multiple hooks. We
encourage
the use of barb less hooks on all crank baits, spinner baits, and other
lures not designed to hold bait.
The
barbs can be pinched down or removed.
Barbed single hook jigs and bait rigs used for live bait
can be used. However, if the hook is swallowed, cut the line and leaving the
hook in place. It will dissolve naturally without hurting or killing the fish.
Never try to pull the swallowed hook out of the fish.
Landing
nets should be used as little as possible. Nets, if used should be made of soft
nylon or cotton. A large fish may require a net to facilitate landing a big
fish, attempt to remove the hook while leaving the net and fish in the water.
Never
release a fish that has been held on a stringer, once on the stringer, it stays
on the stringer as part of your possession limit. Culling fish is the same as
killing fish and is illegal.
