Catch and Release Best Practices: A Complete Guide

Catch and release is one of the most important conservation practices available to anglers. When done correctly, it allows fish to survive and reproduce, ensuring healthy fisheries for future generations. Here's how to do it right.

Why Catch and Release Matters

Many fish populations face pressure from habitat loss, climate change, and fishing pressure. Catch and release helps maintain healthy populations by allowing fish — especially larger, more reproductively valuable individuals — to survive and continue breeding.

Gear for Catch and Release

Use Barbless Hooks

Barbless hooks cause less damage and are easier to remove. You can debarb your existing hooks with a pair of pliers by pressing the barb flat. Many hook manufacturers now offer barbless versions.

Bring Proper Tools

• Needle-nose pliers — For removing deep hooks.
• Hook remover / disgorger — For reaching hooks in the throat.
• Rubberized or silicone-coated landing net — Removes less slime and scales than nylon nets.
• Scissors or cutters — For cutting hooks that can't be removed safely.

Landing the Fish

• Play the fish quickly — Prolonged fights exhaust fish, building up lactic acid that can be fatal. Use appropriate tackle for the size of fish you're targeting.
• Keep the fish in the water — The less time a fish spends out of water, the better its chances of survival.
• Use a rubberized net — If you need to net the fish, use a rubberized or silicone-coated net that won't remove the fish's protective slime coating.
• Wet your hands — If you must handle the fish, wet your hands first to avoid damaging the slime coating.

Handling the Fish

• Support the fish horizontally — Never hold a fish vertically by the jaw (especially larger fish). Support the belly with one hand while holding the jaw or tail with the other.
• Avoid touching the gills — Gills are extremely delicate. Never put your fingers in the gill openings.
• Don't squeeze — Don't squeeze the fish tightly. Gentle but secure grip is best.
• Use a wet towel or mat — If you need to lay the fish down for a photo, use a wet towel or a rubberized measuring board.
• Keep the fish's eyes covered — Fish are stressed by bright light. Keeping their eyes covered can help calm them.

Hook Removal

• Remove hooks quickly — The faster you remove the hook, the faster the fish can be released.
• Use pliers for deep hooks — For hooks that are swallowed deep, use long needle-nose pliers.
• Cut the line if needed — If the hook is deeply embedded in the throat or gills, cut the line as close to the hook as possible. A hook left in place is less harmful than aggressive removal.
• Watch for bleeding — If the fish is bleeding from the gills, release it immediately. Minor bleeding from the mouth usually stops quickly.

Taking Photos Responsibly

• Keep it quick — Have your camera ready before you lift the fish out of the water.
• Support the fish horizontally — Both hands, one supporting the belly.
• Keep the fish low to the water — Don't hold the fish up in the air for extended periods.
• Avoid dry land — Don't lay the fish on dry ground, rocks, or boat decks for photos.
• Limit air exposure — Ideally, keep the fish out of water for less than 10 seconds (use a breath-hold as your timer).

Reviving and Releasing

• Gently hold the fish in the water — Face the fish into the current (if in a river) or gently move it back and forth to pass water over its gills.
• Wait for the fish to swim away on its own — Don't just drop the fish and hope for the best. Wait until it has recovered enough to swim strongly away.
• Watch for predators — Make sure the fish isn't immediately eaten by a bird or larger fish after release.
• If the fish is exhausted — Hold it upright in the water, supporting its belly, until it recovers enough to swim away on its own.

CatchTales and Conservation

The CatchTales app helps you track your catches and practice responsible angling. Log each catch, record its size, take a photo for documentation, then release it properly. Your data helps you understand and protect your local fishery.

Published July 2026 by the CatchTales team.