Whether by regulation or choice, catch and release is an essential feature in fishing. In some cases, catch and release is the result of under-sized fish, regulated waters, or a regulated species, and in others, it’s the intent of the angler from the outset. In all cases, every effort should be made to release fish quickly and unharmed.

Across the country catch and release fishing has become an important conservation tool. A number of large fishing communities promote, encourage, and support catch-and-release as a means of preserving and enhancing fisheries.

In practicing effective catch and release fishing, there are a few easy fundamentals to follow:

1. Use the appropriate tackle. Fighting a fish too long will exhaust and unduly stress the fish. Use tackle that’s matched to the species you’re fishing and allows you too land them quickly. The more quickly you release a fish unharmed, the better.
2. Minimize handling. The less you handle, touch or hold the fish the better. Ideally, it’s best to leave the fish in the water and not to handle it at all. There are a number of tools, called “dehookers” that allow you to release fish without touching them, as well as catch and release nets and various “grips” that allow you to hold a fish without handling them. 
3. Wet your hands first.  If you must handle a fish, wet your hands first before touching it to help maintain the fishes’ protective slime. Take care to avoid dropping fish onto a boat deck, dirt or ground as this can bruise or cause internal damage to fish.
4. Unhooking a fish.  Again, a dehooking device is best for releasing fish because they minimize handling by properly removing the hook quickly.  In the absence of a dehooker, needle nose pliers or hemostats will allow you to properly remove a hook. That’s done by simply backing the hook out the opposite way it entered. If it’s a bass, take care to hold it by its lower jaw vertically and not horizontally when removing the hook. This can be done with other toothless species as well. With trout-type species it’s best to leave them in the water and cradle the fish while removing the hook. Toothy species require some kind of device to aid in holding the fish while safely removing the hook.
5. Watch the gills. Gills are fishes’ means of breathing. Be particularly mindful of preventing any contact with the gills to assure the successful release of the fish you catch.
6. Deep hooked fish.  Occasionally, especially when using bait, fish are hooked so deep that hook removal will damage the fish. In these instances, the fish is best served by cutting the line as close to the mouth as possible. Most hooks will dissolve or dislodge enabling successful release.
7. Reviving fish.  Exhausted fish will need to be revived before release. Generally, exhaustion is the result of a long fight, but not always. If the fish appears lethargic or is having difficulty swimming it will need to be revived. In a stream you’ll want to point the fish into the current which should be running at a slow to moderate speed, not fast.  Allow the fish to resuscitate in the current by cradling it gently with both hands along its’ belly.  Bigger fish may require you to gently hold their tail and use your other hand under the fish to cradle it. In an area without current it’s best to cradle the fish gently and slowly move the fish forward and backward to force water across the gills. Release the fish when it’s able to swim away under its own power.
8. Barbless hooks.  Fish are most easily unhooked when barbless hooks are used.  Several fisheries require their use while some anglers prefer to use them because they don’t intend to keep fish.  Hooks can be purchased as barbless or the barb can be pinched down rendering them barbless. Depending on the size of the hook, you can pinch them down using either needle nose pliers or hemostats. To verify the hook is barbless run it through fabric or a cotton ball. If it shows any fabric or cotton on the barb or hangs up in any way the hook is not barbless and requires further work to pinch the barb down. 
9. Circle hooks.  Another hook style that’s useful in catch and release fishing are circle hooks. Rarely resulting in deep hooking, fish caught on circle hooks are generally hooked in the mouth and easily and effectively released. 

The basis of successful catch and release fishing is to release fish unharmed. The benefits of catch and release have proved vital to the future of a number of important fisheries around the country. Catch and release fishing is yet another way that anglers contribute to fishing’s long-standing commitment to conservation and preservation of our natural resources.