Protecting Fish In Utah: Effective Strategies For Stress-Free Catch-and-Release Fishing

With excessive heat warnings spanning Utah this last week, many residents are seeking refuge in lakes and mountains. For those planning to fish, especially with catch-and-release in mind, it's crucial to minimize stress on fish to enhance their chances of survival.

Opt for early mornings or late evenings when temperatures are cooler. This reduces stress on both fish and angler alike.

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If fishing in rivers, select spots with deeper, cooler waters for releases. In reservoirs, beware of barotrauma when fish brought up quickly from deep, cold areas are exposed to hot surface temperatures.

Trina Hedrick from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources emphasizes selecting release spots with better water quality during hot weather to boost fish survival rates.

Use appropriately sized gear to decrease handling time and stress on fish. Consider using rubber mesh nets to keep fish in water during hook removal and avoid prolonged air exposure.

When practicing catch-and-release, it's advisable to use single hooks and crimp the barbs to facilitate easier release. Minimizing the time spent fighting the fish reduces exhaustion, improving its chances of survival upon release. Always wet your hands before handling fish to protect their slime coats and scales from damage, which can lead to infection. Using rubber or coated nets helps prevent injury to the fish.

Quickly removing the hook with forceps or needle-nosed pliers is important, and if the fish is deeply hooked, it's best to cut the line as close as possible to where it's hooked rather than pulling on the line. Allow the fish time to recover in the net before releasing it. If the fish doesn’t stay upright when released, gently move it back and forth to aid recovery. If the fish fails to recover, it may be better to keep it as part of your daily limit.

By following these guidelines, anglers can enjoy responsible fishing during Utah's hot spells while helping preserve fish populations for future enjoyment. For more information on barotrauma and fish species affected, visit the Utah DWR website.