Fish Handling Self Assessment

1. Was the fish handled gently?

Fish was thrown, kicked, slid across the bank, or otherwise abused.

Eyes, gills, and/or other sensitive organs were contacted, but handled gently otherwise.

Fish was handled with dry hands, squeezed, or allowed to rub on clothing, but handled gently otherwise.

Fish was handled gently with wet hands, sensitive organs were avoided.

It's common to see anglers beaching their catch in many of our fisheries. While a simple way to bring a fish to hand, dragging a live fish cross rocks and sand can cause damage to gills, eyes, and the protective mucus barrier (slime). Learn to 'tail' a caught fish by grasping it by the wrist, found just north of a fish's tail. Tailing restricts a fish's ability to move, easing control and minimizing mucus loss from unnecessary contact. Wet hands help keep fish slimy and parasite-free.

Explanation

It's common to see anglers beaching their catch in many of our fisheries. While a simple way to bring a fish to hand, dragging a live fish cross rocks and sand can cause damage to gills, eyes, and the protective mucus barrier (slime). Learn to 'tail' a caught fish by grasping it by the wrist, found just north of a fish's tail. Tailing restricts a fish's ability to move, easing control and minimizing mucus loss from unnecessary contact. Wet hands help keep fish slimy and parasite-free.

2. Was fight time minimized?

Fish was played to exhaustion, did not readily recover.

Fish was played to exhaustion, recovered with assistance.

Fish was unnecessarily played, but not to exhaustion.

Fish was quickly brought to hand.

Exhausted fish have a difficult time recovering from being caught and are more susceptible to predation and swift currents than fish quickly brought to hand. Exhausted fish may be unable to fulfill their parenting responsibilities, hurting the next generation of fish.

Explanation

Exhausted fish have a difficult time recovering from being caught and are more susceptible to predation and swift currents than fish quickly brought to hand. Exhausted fish may be unable to fulfill their parenting responsibilities, hurting the next generation of fish.

3. Was water temperature a consideration?

No

Yes

Warm water contains less available dissolved oxygen than cool water, making recovery that much more difficult on caught fish. Salmonids, in particular, are sensitive to water temperature; fishing in water temperatures exceeding the mid-60s is not advised. In those dog days of summer, it's often better to swim with the fishes than trying to bring one to hand.

Explanation

Warm water contains less available dissolved oxygen than cool water, making recovery that much more difficult on caught fish. Salmonids, in particular, are sensitive to water temperature; fishing in water temperatures exceeding the mid-60s is not advised. In those dog days of summer, it's often better to swim with the fishes than trying to bring one to hand.

4. Did you use lower-impact equipment? Think barbless single hooks, rubber nets and adequately-rated rods and lines.

No equipment used was lower-impact.

Some equipment used was lower-impact.

Most equipment used was lower-impact.

All equipment used was lower-impact.

Using artificial lures has been proven to reduce fish mortality relative to bait; flies and single-hooked lures have the lowest associated impact. Equipment manufacturers are constantly developing new products to help minimize our impact on caught fish. Employing small-mesh rubber nets, barbless single hooks, and adequately-rated rods and lines all help get released fish back at it.

Explanation

Using artificial lures has been proven to reduce fish mortality relative to bait; flies and single-hooked lures have the lowest associated impact. Equipment manufacturers are constantly developing new products to help minimize our impact on caught fish. Employing small-mesh rubber nets, barbless single hooks, and adequately-rated rods and lines all help get released fish back at it.

5. Was air exposure avoided?

Fish was exposed to air for longer than 60 seconds.

Fish was exposed to air for longer than 30 seconds but less than 60.

Fish was exposed to air for less than 30 seconds.

Fish was allowed to remain in the water at all times.

Most sport fish are unable to resperate unless their gills are submerged. Keeping a fish above water prevents the fish from 'breathing' and further adds to angling-induced stress.

Explanation

Most sport fish are unable to resperate unless their gills are submerged. Keeping a fish above water prevents the fish from 'breathing' and further adds to angling-induced stress.

6. Was barotrauma managed? Only answer if applicable.

Barotrauma was not present/applicable to this fishing situation.

Barotrauma was not addressed.

Barotrauma was managed by "fizzing" or "venting".

Barotrauma was managed with a descending device.

Deep-dwelling fish may experience injury if brought to the surface quickly. Barotrauma can cause bulging eyes, distended organs, and severe behavioral changes. Fish caught in more than 30 feet of water should be brought to the surface slowly (contrary to tactics for surface fish) and examined for signs of barotrauma. Released fish should be lowered back to depth with a specialty or DIY descending device as soon as the fish is brought to hand. "Fizzing" or "venting" helps with immediate decompression but often leads to organ damage and death and should be avoided.

Explanation

Deep-dwelling fish may experience injury if brought to the surface quickly. Barotrauma can cause bulging eyes, distended organs, and severe behavioral changes. Fish caught in more than 30 feet of water should be brought to the surface slowly (contrary to tactics for surface fish) and examined for signs of barotrauma. Released fish should be lowered back to depth with a specialty or DIY descending device as soon as the fish is brought to hand. "Fizzing" or "venting" helps with immediate decompression but often leads to organ damage and death and should be avoided.

7. What most informs your fishing practices? Choose one.

Fishing Media (magazines, television shows, videos)

State/Provincial Fishing Regulations

Guides/Lodges

Friends/Family

Other

Thanks for your input! The more information we have, the better we can help sportfish prosper!

Explanation

Thanks for your input! The more information we have, the better we can help sportfish prosper!

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