How to Handle and Release Fish Safely

You don't have to keep every fish you catch. Fish under the size limit, protected species and fish you won't eat should go back, and many anglers enjoy catch and release just for the fight. For a released fish to survive, though, how you handle it matters.

Keep it out of the water as briefly as possible

Fish breathe oxygen from water through their gills. Out of water they struggle to breathe, and the longer they're out, the weaker they get. Keep your hook remover and pliers within reach, and take photos quickly once everything is ready.

Wet hands, gentle grip

A fish's body is covered in slippery slime that protects it from germs and injury. Gripping hard with dry hands or a dry towel strips it off. Wet your hands first, support the body lightly, and never put fingers in the gills or press on the eyes. Don't set fish down on hot rocks or dry ground, either.

Removing the hook

• If it's hooked in the lip, twist the hook gently back the way it went in.
• If it's swallowed deep, don't force it out; cutting the leader close to the hook is known to give the fish a better chance.
• Hooks with the barb pressed flat with pliers come out much more easily.

Mind the spines and teeth

The scorpionfish and rabbitfish have venomous fin spines that swell and hurt when they prick you. Bullheads have sharp pectoral spines, and hairtail and Spanish mackerel teeth cut hands easily. Handle these with gloves and pliers, and never put a bare hand in their mouths. See a doctor if a prick swells badly or hurts a lot.

Letting it go

Hold the fish in the water with its head facing the current. As water flows over its gills it recovers and swims off on its own. Release it at the surface rather than throwing it from a height. Invasive species such as bass and bluegill, however, must not be released; put them in the collection bin or take them home.