Body
To keep the fish you free safe from harm, master the art of letting go.
Sometimes, fishing rules require you to release a fish because it’s the wrong size or the wrong species. And sometimes, you’d rather fish for fun than for food. Here’s how to release a fish the right way, so it has the best chance of living.
Take the Right Tackle
- Choose artificial lures. Fish are more likely to swallow live bait and become deeply hooked, which can damage their organs.
- Carry a pair of needle-nose pliers or hemostats to remove hooks from small-mouthed fish like bluegill.
- Use a pair of pliers to pinch the barbs flat on your hooks. This makes removing them from a fish’s mouth (or your dad’s earlobe) much easier.
Land ‘Em Quickly
- Set the hook as soon as you feel a bite. This makes it less likely the fish will swallow the hook.
- Reel in your catch as quickly as you can — but don’t jerk the lips off the little fella. Fighting a fish longer than necessary wears it out and weakens its ability to survive.
- Keep a fish in the water as much as possible when removing the hook or taking a photo. A fish’s odds of survival decrease the longer it’s kept out of the water.
Handle Carefully
- Wet your hands before touching a fish. This protects its slimy skin, which guards the fish from germs.
- Be gentle. Squeezing a fish too hard can damage its organs. And keep your fingers away from its gills and eyes. It needs those to breathe and to see!
- If your catch is hooked deeply — in its gills or stomach — it’s best to simply leave the hook alone and cut the line. The fish will have a better chance of living than if you try to perform stream-side surgery to remove the hook.
Revive Tired Fish
- If your fish doesn’t have enough energy to swim away, hold its tail with one hand and cradle its belly with the other.
- Slowly move the fish back and forth below the surface so water flows over its gills.
- When the fish’s energy returns, release your grip so it can swim away.
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Credit
MDC
Right to Use
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image

Credit
MDC
Right to Use
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image

Credit
MDC
Right to Use
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image

Credit
MDC
Right to Use
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image

Credit
MDC
Right to Use
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
Image

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This Issue's Staff
Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Les Fortenberry
Art Director – Cliff White
Editor – Matt Seek
Magazine Manager – Stephanie Thurber
Photographer – David Stonner
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Les Fortenberry
Art Director – Cliff White
Editor – Matt Seek
Magazine Manager – Stephanie Thurber