Safe, Ethical Handling of Fish for Alaska Catch-and-Release

There are a few forms or approaches to fishing out there, and one of the most well-known and common is known as catch-and-release fishing. As the name implies, this approach involves catching fish initially, but then releasing them either immediately or very soon after -- but what if you want to hold the fish briefly first, whether for pictures or some other purpose?

At Pybus Point Lodge, we're proud to offer a wide range of guided Alaskan fishing tours and related themes for all our clients. We assist with all your basic fishing needs, including safe and ethical handling of fish for those who want to pursue catch-and-release approaches and need to know how to hold fish during this process. What are some basic themes to remember as you're handling and eventually releasing fish? Here's a simple rundown.

Keep the Fish Wet

Throughout any processes you take with the fish following the catch, whether you're removing hooks and lures or taking pictures and measurements, it's crucial to keep the fish wet. The easiest way to do this is to hold the fish in water -- but if you're in a boat or on land, make sure that you place the fish in an ice slurry first.

This ensures that your catch stays healthy throughout its handling process, which can help ensure a successful release back into the wild. Removing the fish from water for too long will lead to the fish's scales drying out, which can make the fish more susceptible to predators and pathogens. And if they're left out for too long, fish will suffocate or sustain major internal injuries as a result.

Keep Your Hands Wet

Down similar lines, it's also important to keep your hands wet while handling fish. This helps avoid damage to the fish scales, which can again lead to serious health implications for the fish. When you're removing a hook, for example, make sure that you're lubricating both the process of removing the hook and your hands themselves with water.

If you don't have water readily available, you can also use saliva -- but try not to get too much on the fish, as this can lead to health problems down the line. On the flip side, never use a towel or cloth to hold the fish, as the fabrics here will remove the vital slime coat from their skin, which can also cause problems and complications for the fish's health.

Hold and Handle Gently

For any period of time where you're handling the fish, whether you're removing hooks or taking measurements, it's important to handle the fish gently. With larger species of fish, they may be bigger and heavier than you're used to -- but that doesn't mean their bones aren't easily damaged if handled roughly.

By keeping your hands and any equipment you use to hold the fish wet and using gentle pressure, you can avoid damaging the fish physically. Do not ever hold the fish by the gills, as this can lead to damage and health issues. Instead, keep the fish as level as possible with your hands, making sure that you're supporting its weight and not putting undue pressure on any one area.

Of course, if you should happen to mishandle a fish accidently -- or even moreso if it's intentional -- take care of what you can afterward. If you puncture a fish's skin, for example, you could expose the sensitive tissue inside to potential dangers like bacterial infections. One good way to help minimize such risks, as well as any pain or other lasting damage done to the fish, is to administer antibiotics in these situations immediately.

Support Assists

As we noted above, supporting the fish properly is vital if you plan to release it back into the water. For some, this means utilizing assists like a rubberized landing net or a cradling device to keep the fish level and stable while also keeping your hands free.

These assist equipment items can help make sure you don't injure the fish while holding it, but they can also assist in getting the fish into the water more smoothly after you've been handling it. Netting a fish isn't always enough to get it safely into the water, especially if you're landing it on a rocky or uneven surface, so these tools can be a big help.

Quick, Effective Removal of Hooks or Lures

Another important factor to consider if you're handling a fish before releasing it is how well you can remove hooks and lures. If a hook or other fishing tool has gotten ensnared in the fish's mouth, for example, you need to get that off quickly and effectively to avoid inflicting more damage -- but how?

First, gently pull back on the line to open the fish's mouth, using as little pressure as possible. Next, use needle-nose pliers or hemostats to grab the hook firmly without puncturing the fish's skin any further. Finally, twist the hook free and release the fish back into the water.

Once again, if the fish must be pulled from the water for this process, be sure to keep the fish level and support its weight as much as you can. This will help minimize pain or other injuries caused by your handling of the fish, in addition to protecting both you and the fish from any harm that could result during this process.

While catch-and-release fishing is a great way to keep fishing sustainable while also preserving fish populations, you still need to handle the fish with care if you hope to release it back into the water safely. By keeping your hands and any tools used wet, supporting the fish level while handling it, and removing hooks quickly and effectively, you can help ensure a safe and successful catch-and-release fishing experience for yourself -- and for the fish!

For more on this, or to learn about any of our all-inclusive Alaskan vacation packages and fishing tours, speak to the team at Pybus Point Lodge today.