DOW Asks Anglers to Return Fish Back to the Water

Anglers concerned about dwindling stocks of rainbow trout in Western Slope streams can help conserve fish by limiting their catch or by practicing catch-and-release fishing.

Many devoted anglers have long enjoyed the benefit of "limiting their catch" instead of "catching their limit." No doubt, the reward of catching and keeping some fish for the dinner plate is part of the pleasure of fishing for many. In certain situations this remains acceptable.

But keeping a full day's limit is often wasteful and unnecessary. And in the case of rainbow trout, keeping a full limit of eight fish per angler may diminish the amount of recreation available for others. In some instances, such as wild trout waters, keeping fish eliminates the possibility that they will reproduce and keep populations stable.

Many wildlife agencies, fishing clubs and media have applauded the catch-and-release ethic. When done properly, the practice works and enables fish to survive. Unfortunately, the procedure is often done carelessly and fish later die as a result.

Fish that are caught and released may die due to a host of reasons, but the primary causes are stress and wounding. Fighting, handling and changes in water temperatures can stress fish beyond the point of recovery. Research shows that even nominal handling of a caught fish often results in a full recovery period of more than a week.

Mortality is increased by the inevitable hook wounding, along with other factors such as the site of puncture, the degree of tissue damage and any subsequent infections. Natural, organic baits often kill more fish because they tend to be devoured more aggressively and go deeper into the gullet, causing more tissue damage when the hook is removed.

A study jointly sponsored by the Division of Wildlife and other agencies found that trout caught with the popular scented artificial eggs and moldable dough baits are more likely to die than those caught with traditional flies and lures. Like organic baits, these too are hit very aggressively by trout, which likewise suffer similar mortalities. As a result, fishing regulations were changed two years ago that now classify scented artificial baits - including small plastics and moldable dough baits - as "natural baits" that can't be fished in special regulation waters that require flies and lures only.

Catch-and-release recommendations vary. In general, three universally accepted recommendations are to: A) minimize out-of-water time; B) reduce tissue damage; and C) minimize the fish's contact with hands or objects.

Once hooked, a fish should be retrieved quickly and efficiently to reduce stress. If a fish is played-out until it's exhausted, blood chemistry becomes upset, killing it long after release. Most fish caught with artificial baits and quickly released will live. If using the scented baits, larger hooks are less likely to become embedded deep in the fish's gullet and are easier to remove. With catch-and-release fishing, barbless hooks inflict less tissue damage and make release easier.

All anglers should carry an effective hook removing tool such as disgourgers, needle-nose pliers or hemostats.

Ideally, hook removal is done while the fish is at least partially submerged to limit time out of water. If the fish must be handled, gently support its underbelly - especially for rotund large fish. Don't touch the gills or depress the gill covers, which are easily damaged.

It's especially important to handle fish with moistened hands to avoid removing their protective mucous layer. Doing so helps prevent infections in the fish. And when using a landing net, it's preferable to use the bag-style neoprene designs, which don't damage the fish's protective slime layer.

If a fish is deeply hooked and the hook's removal would result in extensive tissue damage, cutting the line offers the better chance for survival. Though it may take up to 120 days, most fish will eventually reject a hook.

The stress from the fight may reduce a fish's ability to swim away once the hook is removed.

To help a sluggish fish recover, anglers should gently grasp the fish and apply a gentle back and forth movement in the water with enough motion to alternately open and close the mouth and flare the gill covers. This increases oxygen flow and helps revive the fish.

But like the waters in which they live, all trout species are not the same. Anglers also need to recognize that in some lakes and streams, wildlife mangers encourage fishermen to harvest trout.

For example, regulations allow anglers to keep an additional 10 brook trout 8 inches or smaller because brookies tend to be very prolific, overpopulating lakes or streams.

This usually results in stunted growth for nearly all fish in the population.

The division asks anglers to understand the importance of conserving rainbow trout, especially on the West Slope. Releasing more fish today will help insure that enough trout are available for future fishing.