EDMONTON - It's midsummer and fish are diving deeper... to cooler waters. This means that catch-and-release anglers have to take some extra precautions in how they handle fish. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development provides the following pointers to help maximize the survival of released fish and maintain fish populations.

Catching Fish in Deep Water

Warm weather causes lake temperatures to rise, which reduces the amount of oxygen near the surface of the water. Because higher temperatures and lower oxygen levels increase stress on fish, some species typically migrate to deeper water. But, catching fish in deep water is tricky.

When walleye and perch are caught in deep water and brought to the surface, their air bladders expand and cause internal injuries, even if they are reeled in slowly. Generally, if they are found deeper than about 7.5 metres (25 feet), or if you see that their air bladders are distended, don't continue fishing for them at that depth. Look for them in shallower water, come back when the water is cooler and they are closer to the surface, or fish for different species.

Pike and trout, on the other hand, have a different physical makeup and can be taken from deep water and released more successfully-although there may still be problems if they are brought to the surface too quickly.

"Fizzing"

Some anglers who catch fish in deep water, but decide not to keep them, insert a hypodermic needle into the fish in an attempt to reduce the air pressure in the air bladder. They then release the fish back into the water. Called "fizzing," this practice is discouraged. It does not help fish survive and can damage internal organs or otherwise injure fish.

"Culling"

"Culling" fish, or keeping them alive in a livewell or dragging them behind a boat on a stringer is also not recommended. Instead, anglers are encouraged to choose a fish of a reasonable size that is legal to keep, dispatch it quickly and keep it on ice. Other fish should be released at once.

Media contact:

Dave Ealey,
Communications,
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 427-8636

Hugh Norris,
Fish and Wildlife Division
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 427-7769

BACKGROUNDER

Pointers for Enhancing Fish Survival

Since catch-and-release angling is common in Alberta, careful fish handling is important to sustain fish populations. The less fish are handled and the shorter time they are out of the water, the greater chance they have of surviving.

* Using a practice called "fair chase" will help. This practice minimizes the time you play the fish once it is on the hook. Playing a fish too long may cause it to die later.

* Fish are best kept in the water when releasing them. Try not to touch them at all. If they must be handled, you should wet your hands before touching the fish, or wear gloves soaked in water. These precautions will help prevent damage to the mucous coating that protects fish.

* When releasing fish, hold the fish in water so it can rejuvenate itself. Then, release it by letting it swim from your hands. Do not throw fish back into the water.

* The length of time fish are out of the water should be kept to a minimum. If an angler is going to measure or photograph fish, they should be ready in advance and be quick about it.

* Fish should be held under the belly and by the front of the tail. Do not put your hands near the eyes or gills.

* Use a landing net to aid quick release. A net will help you reduce the time you fight with a fish so you can return it to the water faster.

* Take great care in removing hooks. Do not tear a hook from fish. If it is deeply embedded in the fish's throat, leave the hook in place, snip the line and release the fish.

* Consider using barbless hooks, or flattening the barbs on your fishing tackle. By making this effort, you will be ready when barbless hooks become mandatory in Alberta in 2004. Another advantage is that you will be more focused on careful handling of the fish.

* Do not "cull" fish. Holding live fish in a livewell or on a stringer and releasing smaller fish as larger ones are caught and kept reduces the chances for survival of the released fish. The problem is even more significant in warmer water-oxygen and temperature can change quickly in livewells if anglers don't pay close attention to water circulation and aeration. Instead, if a fish is good enough to eat and it is legal to do so, quickly dispatch it and put it on ice to bring home.